Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Offered by Stanford University
About This Scholarship
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is Stanford University's flagship graduate fellowship, funding students in any of Stanford's graduate degree programs — from PhDs and MBAs to law, medicine, education, and engineering. Beyond funding, scholars join a multidisciplinary cohort and participate in the King Global Leadership Program, a series of workshops, lectures, and experiences designed to develop civic-minded leaders.
The award provides funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford, covering tuition and associated fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel stipend. Scholars in longer programs, such as PhDs, receive continued funding from their home department after the Knight-Hennessy term.
Candidates apply directly to Knight-Hennessy and separately to their Stanford graduate program of choice in the same admission cycle. There is no institutional nomination — the application is open to students from any university worldwide, and both applications must be submitted on time to be considered.
Eligibility
- Applying to enroll (or in the first year of) a full-time Stanford graduate degree program
- Earned a bachelor's degree within the required recency window (roughly the last seven years; see program site for the current cohort's cutoff)
- Open to U.S. and international students from any undergraduate institution
- Must also apply to and be admitted by a Stanford graduate program in the same cycle
How To Apply
- Submit the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application by the early-October deadline, including essays, a resume, transcripts, recommendations, and a short video
- Separately submit your Stanford graduate program application by its own deadline (by December 1 to remain KHS-eligible; MBA applicants must use Round 1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply to Knight-Hennessy or to a Stanford degree program?
Both. You submit the Knight-Hennessy application and a separate application to your chosen Stanford graduate program in the same cycle; you must be admitted to the degree program to become a scholar.