A training director plays an important role in helping residents become successful APA/APAF Fellowship applicants. Refer to individual fellowship pages for complete application requirements.

Beyond writing a successful reference letter, training directors should be familiar with the following:

• All Available APA/APAF Fellowships
• Key Dates and Frequently Asked Questions about APA/APAF Fellowships
• Opportunities available to APA/APAF Fellows

Training Director’s Reference Letter

Please provide us with no more than a one-page letter of recommendation addressing the following:

APA/APAF Leadership Fellowship

Detailed information regarding the applicant’s clinical work and leadership activities and include, as subheadings, the criteria listed under five Candidate Competencies:

1. Specific and candid evaluation of the nominee’s performance as a resident,
2. An appraisal of his/her activities in which leadership qualities have been shown,
3. Information on any special commendations, details of academic accomplishments,
4. An estimate of the nominee’s potential contributions to the APA nationally and locally, and
5. Any other information that would assist the committee in making its selection

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

A letter addressing the trainee’s potential contribution to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Diversity Leadership Fellowship

A one-page letter addressing the following:

1. Comment on the trainee along each of the following areas:
   1. Leadership
   2. Creativity/Innovativeness
   3. Interpersonal Skills
   4. Clinical Skills
   5. Academic Ratings
   6. Interest in Identifiable Sub-Specialty
2. Applicant’s special strengths and weaknesses
3. Other information which would aid the committee in its evaluation
4. The name of the individual who will provide on-site mentorship to the applicant. Please describe the qualifications of this person.
5. Please include your Name, Title, Address, Phone, Email, and Date.

Edwin V. Valdiserri Correctional Psychiatry Fellowship

A letter from the applicant’s training director or department chair addressing the trainee’s potential contribution to the field public psychiatry. The training director/department chair’s letter must confirm support for applicant’s volunteer work in a correctional facility.

Jeanne Spurlock Congressional Fellowship

A letter from the department chairperson or training director

Public Psychiatry Fellowship

A letter from the applicant’s training director or department chair addressing the trainee’s potential contribution to the field public psychiatry.

Psychiatric Research Fellowship

Letter from the nominee's department chair detailing:

• Nominee's accomplishments and activities
• Institutional resources available to support the nominee's research endeavors should the award fund be insufficient to cover both the resident's salary and related research expenses

This applicant must be nominated by the chairperson of a department of psychiatry only, and must be the sole resident per residency program nominated.

SAMHSA Minority Fellowship

A one-page letter addressing the following:

1. Comment on the applicant along each of the following areas:
   1. Leadership
   2. Creativity/Innovativeness
   3. Interpersonal Skills
   4. Clinical Skills
   5. Academic Ratings
   6. Interest in Identifiable Sub-Specialty
2. Applicant’s special strengths and weaknesses
3. Other information which would aid the committee in its evaluation
4. The name of the individual who will provide on-site mentorship to the applicant. Please describe the qualifications of this person.
5. Please include your Name, Title, Address, Phone, Email, and Date.