REFERENCES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING REFERENCES (Form 9A or Form 9B)

References for the U.S. Student Fulbright Program should be completed and submitted electronically. Since overseas evaluators require printed and signed copies of the references, we must ask that referees also print out the electronic reference, sign it, and give it to the applicant in a sealed envelope, signed across the flap.
In this section, you will find instructions for completing the references.

For the Applicant
For the Referee: Applicants for Research/Study Grants
For the Referee: Applicants for ETA Grants

FOR THE APPLICANT

Three references are required; do not submit more than three references. For graduate students, it is recommended that all be from professors in the major field. Graduating seniors will not be expected to have all references from professors in their major field. If an applicant has attended more than one academic institution, references may be included from professors at the prior institutions.

Tips for requesting references:

• Ask for references from people who have some knowledge of the field and host country and who can speak intelligently about your ability to carry out the proposed project. They should also comment specifically on the feasibility of the project in terms of resources available abroad, your linguistic preparation to carry out the proposed project, and your ability to adapt to a different cultural environment. They are free to comment on any other factors that they believe may have a bearing on a successful overseas experience. They should also indicate their belief as to the merit or validity of the project itself. For arts candidates, letter writers should discuss the potential for growth in your field.
• Do not use reference letters from university placement services. Fulbright recommendation writers must address the specific issues that we ask about on our Letter of Recommendation form. These issues are related to the goals of the Fulbright program and reference letters that address them will be more beneficial to an application. Letters from a placement service will be general and will not be an asset to an application.
• Request that referees submit the letter of reference electronically. In the online application, go to Step E: References/Report. From there, you can register up to three referees and one Foreign Language Evaluator. Once registered, the referee/evaluator will receive an email with a login and instructions on how to complete the form. Be sure to:
• Let your referees/evaluator know in advance that you are requesting an electronic reference/report.
• Provide them with a copy or summary of your Proposal.
• Remind them that they need to print out the PDF version of the reference/evaluation, sign it, and give it to you in a sealed envelope. Once the referee/evaluator submits the letter electronically, they can still access it to print, but they can not edit it.
• ETA applicants should select referees who know them well and can speak to their specific qualities relative to the ETA program.

In general, it is best to ask for references from people who have knowledge of your field of study, project and host country. However, some applicants may find it difficult to obtain all three letters of recommendation from people who can fulfill these guidelines. It may not always be possible to include references from professors or other field specialists. You will need to use your best judgment as to who can provide the best reference for your application. These letters can come from supervisors or employers. We recommend trying to obtain as many letters as possible from people who meet our guidelines, but you can submit a reference letter from anyone that you wish.

Registering Referees/Language Evaluators:

1. Be sure to register your referee/evaluator electronically as part of the online application. This will allow them to complete the form online and have it submitted with your online application. In addition to submitting references electronically, the referee must print a hard copy of the reference, sign it, and give it to you in a sealed envelope for inclusion with all other application documents.
   
2. You will note that the referees are registered based on the type of grant for which you are applying:

REFERENCES for Study/Research Grant Applications:

If a referee is not able to complete the electronic form, a letter written on the referee's letterhead, accompanied by the Reference Cover Sheet, will be accepted. Print a copy of Form 9A: Reference Cover Sheet for Research/Study Grants and the instructions below: For the Referee: Applicants for Research/Study Grants, and give them to the referee along with your project summary.

REFERENCES for ETA Application:

If a referee is not able to complete the electronic form, print a copy of Form 9B: Reference Form for English Teaching Assistantship Grant and the instructions below: For the Referee: Applicants for ETA Grants and give them to the referee. Remember, whether completed online or only in hard copy format, be sure to tell your referees they will be asked to complete a fill-in form and may not submit a standard reference letter.

FOR ALL CATEGORIES:

1. Provide the person with a summary of your project or description of the program as described under the Statement of Grant Purpose.
2. Provide the referee with a self-addressed business envelope for return of this form to you.
3. If the referee is completing the reference only in hard copy, enter the information requested (name, field of study, etc.) at the top of the Reference Cover Sheet before you give it to the referee.
4. Collect the completed and signed form from your referee in a sealed envelope, which has been signed across the flap by the referee, and submit it with the rest of your application.

FOR THE REFEREE: APPLICANTS FOR RESEARCH/STUDY GRANTS

Fulbright applicants may register their referees in the Embark Online Application system to give them the opportunity to complete the form online and have it submitted with student's online application. In addition, the applicant should provide referees with summaries of their Fulbright Project proposals. Referees who are not familiar with the U.S. Student Fulbright Program may also wish to visit our website at http://us.fulbrightonline.org.

The Fulbright Program prefers that references be completed online and submitted both electronically and in hard copy. The candidate will collect the signed, hard copy letter in a sealed envelope from the referee.

In completing the reference, referees should keep in mind that the applicant will be serving as a citizen representing the United States and that personal suitability, as well as academic excellence, is an important criterion to be considered. In particular, please comment on any of the following that are appropriate:

• Feasibility of the applicant's proposed project in terms of resources available overseas.
• Ability of the applicant to carry out the project and in the allotted time.
• Linguistic preparation for the proposed plan.
• Candidate's ability to adapt to a different cultural environment.
• In the arts, the candidate's talent and potential for growth.
• Any other factors which you believe may have a bearing on the candidate's experience overseas.

Faxed or emailed references will not be accepted

FOR THE REFEREE: APPLICANTS FOR ETA GRANTS

In responding to the questions on the ETA Reference Form, please keep in mind that the candidate will be serving as a citizen representing the United States and that personal suitability, as well as academic excellence, is an important criterion to be considered. Facility with and knowledge of English usage, grammar, and writing are also important.

Fulbright ETAs are not responsible for designing curricula or teaching full courses. Rather they serve, under supervision, at their assigned placements and will be expected to develop and carry out a variety of learning activities, make presentations on U.S. culture and society, and/or assist faculty in an English Language Department with their teaching responsibilities, as needed.

In addition, some countries request that applicants describe an academic or other project or activity that they would pursue concurrent with the ETA assignment. This is a secondary component of the grant and may provide insight into the applicant's interest into the host country, academic or career interests, and/or suitability for the ETA program.

In formulating responses to the questions on the ETA Reference Form, consider the following general characteristics of U.S. Student Fulbright ETA Programs. Generally, ETA grantees:

• Are placed in elementary or secondary schools or universities outside of capital cities, depending on the country. Please consult the individual country entry at Particpating Country Summary for a description of the program in this applicant's chosen country.
• Are assigned various activities designed to improve host country students' abilities in English and knowledge of the United States.
• Are fully integrated into the host community, increasing their own language skills and knowledge of the host country.
• May pursue individual study/research plans in addition to ETA responsibilities.
• Have some background or training in education and/or teaching/tutoring.

Faxed or emailed references will not be accepted