Learn Your Letters (of Reference or Support)

Get an overview of reference letters and letters of support: when to use them, who writes them, and what key information you should include for reviewers and NIH staff.  

When and how is each letter used?

Reference letters are used for Fellowships, mentored Career Development Awards, and other programs as requested.

Letters of support demonstrate: 

• Institutional commitment or resources
• Collaboration or role in the project
• Potential or current user of a resource or service proposed in the application

Who writes the letters?

Reference letters: 

• Referees should be individuals not directly involved in the application, but who are familiar with the applicant’s qualifications.
• For funding opportunities that require reference letters, the sponsor(s) or co-sponsor(s) do not count toward the required total.

Letters of support:

• Collaborators, consultants, consortium participants, and collaborators (e.g., Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors) who contribute to the scientific development or execution of the project.

What should be included?

Reference letters:

• Describe qualities and potential of candidate.
• Letters can be addressed to “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Reviewer.”

Letters of support:

• Describe the type of support your collaborators will provide to the project.
• Summarize the agreements you have in place to support your project, e.g., expectations for co-authorship.

Who submits them?

Reference letters: 

• A referee submits the letters through eRA Commons (no login needed).
• The letters are maintained separate from the corresponding application.

Letters of support:

• Applicant organization submits the letters of support attached to the application’s Research Plan form, Program Training Plan form, or Career Development Award Supplemental form.

Who sees them?

Reference letters: Only reviewers and select NIH staff.

Letters of support: Anyone with access to view the application.

Where are the instructions?

Check the Reference Letters page, information on letters of support in the How to Apply – Application Guide, and any special instructions on letters found in Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and NIH Guide notices. 

What about other kinds of letters?

To reduce your administrative burden, NIH no longer uses letters of intent (NOT-OD-26-019) or advance permission letters for conference grant applications (NOT-OD-26-040.)

Your NOFO or the How to Apply – Application Guide may instruct you to provide additional letters in your application. NIH may also request letters Just-In-Time before award. Learn more about Cover Letters, certification letters, and other examples at Letters of Support, Reference Letters, and Other Letters.