Stanford University offers several funding chances for graduate students, including the prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholars program. Designed for talented students from around the world, the program combines financial support with multidisciplinary learning and leadership development at Stanford.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program welcomes candidates from all countries and supports students pursuing eligible full-time graduate and professional PhD degrees at Stanford. Scholars become part of a various community where they can develop leadership skills, explore ideas across disciplines and prepare to address complex challenges.

Scholarship Quick Facts

About the Stanford University Scholarships

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is a graduate scholarship opportunity at Stanford University. It brings together students who have academic potential, leadership ability and a strong desire to create meaningful change.

Scholars take part in an education experience. They. Learn alongside students and researchers from different academic backgrounds. The program puts a focus on leadership development, personal growth and collaboration across cultures and disciplines.

Applicants can come from any country. The program is connected to Stanford graduate and professional PhD degree programs. This allows students to study fields such, as engineering, education, humanities, social sciences, business, law and medicine. Students must meet the admission requirements of the Stanford program they wish to join.

Available Fields and Degree Programs

Knight-Hennessy Scholars can pursue eligible graduate and professional PhD programs at Stanford University. Depending on the department, available study areas include:

• • Engineering
  • Education
  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • Business
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Science and related disciplines

Eligible Stanford degree options can include programs such as MA, MS, MBA, MFA, MD, JD and PhD programs, depending on the requirements of the specific graduate school or department.

Eligibility Criteria

• • Applicants from any country may apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

    Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree that satisfies the program’s date requirement for the intake.

    Candidates must also apply to. Be accepted into a full‑time Stanford graduate degree program.

    Applicants should demonstrate curiosity, the ability to think independently and a readiness to test ideas.

    Key personal traits such as leadership perseverance in the face of challenges, humility, inclusiveness and effective teamwork are highly valued.

    Applicants must complete the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application well as the separate application, for the Stanford graduate program.

    Applicants must satisfy any testing requirements and English‑language standards established by their chosen Stanford program.

    Applicants should be prepared to explain how their education, experiences and goals can contribute to change.

Scholarship Benefits

Knight-Hennessy Scholars receive a comprehensive funding package intended to support their graduate education and living costs at Stanford.

• • 🏆 A fellowship toward tuition and applicable standard educational fees
  • 🏆 Funding toward living and academic expenses
  • 🏆 Support for expenses such as accommodation, meals, books, academic supplies and local transportation
  • 🏆 Travel support intended to cover an economy-class round trip to and from Stanford for one annual trip
  • 🏆 Access to multidisciplinary education and leadership development activities
  • 🏆 Potential supplemental funding for approved academic activities, such as conference participation

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars funding period generally covers up to the first three years of graduate education. For programs lasting longer, such as certain PhD, MD or joint-degree programs, additional funding may come from the student’s Stanford home department according to its normal funding arrangements.

Stanford University Scholarships Deadline

Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027 intake application deadline is October 6 2026.

Applicants must also check the deadline for their chosen Stanford graduate degree program.

Admission to Stanford and selection, for Knight-Hennessy Scholars are application processes so both requirements must be completed.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following materials for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application:

• • Academic transcript or self-reported academic record
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two recommendation letters
  • Required essays
  • Short-answer responses
  • Video submission
  • Information and documents required by the selected Stanford graduate program
  • Standardized test scores where required by the chosen graduate program
  • English-language test results where required

How to Apply

Applying for Knight-Hennessy Scholars involves two connected but separate applications. Follow these steps to prepare your application:

Applying for Knight-Hennessy Scholars requires two linked applications. Follow these steps to get ready for your application:

Look at the Stanford programs that’re available: Check out the graduate and professional PhD options at Stanford and pick a program that fits your academic plans.

Make your Knight-Hennessy application: Sign up online. Begin working on the scholarship application.

Apply to Stanford: Finish the application for admission to the full‑time Stanford graduate degree program you have chosen.

Get your academic documents ready: Provide your documents, resume and any other information that is asked for.

Get the letters of recommendation: Make sure the people who are supposed to write letters of recommendation for you follow the instructions, from the program.

Finish the essays and short answers: Use these essays and short answers to talk about your experiences, your goals, your values and what you want to do in the future.

Send the video part: Finish the video submission that is required and do it before the time limit ends.

Do any evaluations that are needed: People who are chosen to go may be asked to take part in an, in-person evaluation.

Send everything before the date: Be sure that both the Knight-Hennessy application and the Stanford graduate program application are finished by their deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions