How to Ask a Professor for a Recommendation Letter for a Scholarship (Email Samples)

To get a strong recommendation letter for a scholarship, ask a professor or employer who knows your work well, ask at least three to four weeks before the deadline, and send them everything they need in one short, polite email. This guide gives you ready-to-use email samples for asking, following up and saying thank you.

Most fully funded scholarships ask for one to three recommendation letters, also called reference letters. A specific, detailed letter from someone who knows you can lift your whole application.

Who should write my recommendation letter?

• A lecturer or professor who taught you, supervised your project or thesis, or knows your grades well.
• An employer or manager who has seen your work, especially for professional scholarships like the Swedish Institute Scholarship that look for work and leadership experience.
• Someone named in the call. The IWA & Grundfos SDG 6 Fellowship, for example, prefers a reference from an IWA member.

A detailed letter from a lecturer who knows you is better than a short letter from a famous professor who doesn’t.

How many recommendation letters do I need?

It depends on the scholarship. Some ask for one, many ask for two, and a few ask for three. Stanford’s Summer Fellows Program, for example, asks for two. Check the call, and line up one extra referee in case someone can’t help.

When should I ask?

Ask at least three to four weeks before the deadline, and earlier in busy periods such as exams or December. Some scholarships have a separate, earlier or later deadline for letters. The ACC New York Fellowship, for example, gives referees a separate deadline after the application deadline. Always check both dates.

Email sample: asking a professor for a recommendation letter

Subject: Recommendation letter request: [Scholarship Name], deadline [date]

Dear Professor [Last name],

I hope you are well. I was in your [course name] class in [year], where I wrote my project on [topic] and received [grade].

I am applying for the [Scholarship Name] to study [programme] at [university]. The scholarship asks for a recommendation letter, and I would be very grateful if you could write one for me. Your class is where I first became interested in [field], and I believe you know my work and abilities well.

The letter is due on [date]. It should be submitted [through an online link / by email to the programme], and I will send you the details as soon as you agree. I have attached my CV, my draft motivation letter and the scholarship description.

Please let me know if you need anything else from me. Thank you very much for considering my request.

Kind regards,
[Your full name]
[Your phone number]

Email sample: asking an employer or manager

Subject: Reference request for my [Scholarship Name] application

Dear [Name],

I am applying for the [Scholarship Name] for a master’s in [field], starting in [month, year]. The scholarship looks for applicants with work and leadership experience, and I would be honoured if you could write a reference about my work at [organisation].

In particular, it would help if you could mention [one or two specific things, such as leading the community health project or training new staff].

The deadline is [date]. I have attached my CV and the scholarship details. Thank you for your support.

Best regards,
[Your name]

What to send your referee

Make it easy for them. Send everything in one email:

• The scholarship name, a link to the call, and the deadline
• How to submit the letter: online link, email or upload
• Your CV
• Your motivation letter or a short summary of your goals
• Two or three points you would like them to mention, with examples
• Any format rules, such as letterhead, signature or a one-page limit

Email sample: polite follow-up

If you have no reply after a week, or the deadline is close and the letter is not in, send a short reminder.

Subject: Gentle reminder: recommendation letter for [Scholarship Name]

Dear Professor [Last name],

I hope you are well. This is a kind reminder that the recommendation letter for my [Scholarship Name] application is due on [date]. The submission link is [link]. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.

Thank you again for your help.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Email sample: thank-you note

Dear Professor [Last name], thank you so much for writing my recommendation letter for the [Scholarship Name]. I really appreciate your time and support, and I will let you know the result.

Do tell them the result later. Referees remember students who keep in touch, and you may need them again.

Can I write the recommendation letter myself?

No. The letter must come from your referee. Many scholarships send the request straight to the referee through an online link, and some ask referees to confirm the letter is their own. What you can do is send clear notes about your achievements so your referee has the facts to hand.

What if my professor doesn’t know me well?

Ask for a short meeting or call first. Remind them of your work, share your CV and goals, and then ask. If they still can’t write a detailed letter, choose someone else who can.

Where to use your recommendation letters now

Pair them with a strong motivation letter and a clean CV, then apply to these fully funded scholarships open now.

Have a question?

Ask in the comments, and we’ll help you plan your recommendation letters.

Related reading

• How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Scholarship (Sample and Template 2027)
• Europass CV for Scholarships: Format, Template and Step-by-Step Guide 2026
• Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students 2027 (12 Open Now)
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 in the UK (Fully Funded)

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