FAQ

Q: How do I log in for the first time?

Click on the link in the email you received from STPF <noreply@stpf-aaas.org>. If you did not receive the email, check your spam folder. If you can’t find the email, ask the applicant what email address of yours they submitted when they selected you as a reference. You will need to log in using the same email address the applicant provided. Click here for the login page.

Q: How do I reset my password?

After you click “Forgot your password?,” you will receive an email to reset your password. If you do not receive an email to reset your password, check with the applicant to ensure you are using the same email address the applicant submitted when selecting you as a reference. If you changed your email address in your profile, the password reset email will go to that account. You should also check to see if the password reset email went into your spam folder.

Q: How do I submit a letter of recommendation?

Log into the reference website using the instructions above. Once logged in, you will see a list of the applicant(s) for whom you have been asked to submit a reference. Click on the applicant’s name when you are ready to submit a letter. Follow the instructions, answering the designated questions, uploading the reference letter, and signing the page. If the applicant has selected you as a reference for more than one program area, you will have the option to upload a single letter of reference for both program areas at once. Please do this only if asked to use a single letter by the applicant. Additional instructions can be found here.

Q: I am logged in, but do not see the name of an applicant for whom I am writing a reference.

The applicant may have withdrawn their reference request. Check your email, including spam folder, for an automated system message. In the event that you have multiple accounts, triggered by multiple applicants submitting different email addresses for you in their reference request, make sure you logged into the account affiliated with that applicant.

Q: I am not receiving emails from STPF about my applicant(s).

You should receive an initial email from STPF indicating that you have been selected as a reference. In addition, you will receive weekly email reminders until your letter(s) have been submitted. If you are not receiving these reminders, check your spam folder. If you can’t find the emails, check that you are using the email address listed in your profile. By default this is the address the applicant submitted when listing you as a reference and where the initial login email was sent. If you are unsure what that address was, contact the applicant directly to find out what the email address they submitted.

Q: I am no longer able to serve as a reference for one or more applicants.

Please contact the applicant directly to let them know. They will need to log into their application and remove you as a reference. Once this happens you will receive an email indicating that the applicant has withdrawn their request for a reference. If you were listed as a reference for an applicant in more than one program area, or for multiple applicants, you will receive an email for each request that was removed.

Q: I received an “applicant has withdrawn reference request” email.

The applicant has withdrawn you as a reference for a particular program area. It is possible that they have withdrawn their application to one program area, but still would like you to submit a letter for a different program area application. Contact the applicant directly to confirm.

Q: Are there format requirements for the reference letter?

All letters should be on letterhead stationary if available, be saved in PDF format, and not exceed four (4) pages. If official letterhead is not available, please clearly indicate your name, address, affiliation and title at the top of the document.

Q: What are you looking for in a reference letter?

Please review How Applicants are Evaluated and the Reference Instructions to understand what the fellowship program looks for in S&T Policy Fellows.