Stanford University offers several funding opportunities 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 applicants from all countries and supports students pursuing eligible full-time graduate and professional PhD degrees at Stanford. Scholars become part of a diverse 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 that brings together students with strong academic potential, leadership ability and a desire to create meaningful change.

Scholars participate in a multidisciplinary education experience alongside students and researchers from different academic backgrounds. The program also places significant emphasis on leadership development, personal growth and collaboration across cultures and disciplines.

Applicants may come from any country. The program is connected to a wide selection of Stanford graduate and professional PhD degree programs, allowing students to pursue fields such as engineering, education, humanities, social sciences, business, law and medicine, subject to the admission requirements of the individual Stanford program.

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 all countries may apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.
  • ✅ Applicants must hold a first or bachelor’s degree that meets the program’s degree-date requirement for the relevant intake.
  • ✅ Candidates must also apply to and be admitted to an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree program.
  • ✅ Applicants should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and a willingness to explore new ideas.
  • ✅ Strong personal qualities such as leadership, perseverance, humility, inclusion and the ability to work with others are important.
  • ✅ Applicants must complete the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application as well as the separate Stanford graduate program application.
  • ✅ Applicants must satisfy any standardized testing and English-language requirements imposed by their chosen Stanford program.
  • ✅ Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how their education, experiences and goals can contribute to meaningful positive impact.

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

The application deadline for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027 intake is October 6, 2026.

Applicants should also check the separate deadline for their chosen Stanford graduate degree program. Admission to Stanford and selection for Knight-Hennessy Scholars are separate 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:

1. 1. Review eligible Stanford programs: Explore Stanford’s graduate and professional PhD degree options and select a program that matches your academic goals.
   2. Create your Knight-Hennessy application: Register online and begin preparing the scholarship application.
   3. Apply to Stanford: Complete the separate application for admission to your chosen full-time Stanford graduate degree program.
   4. Prepare your academic materials: Provide your academic record, resume and other requested information.
   5. Submit recommendation letters: Arrange for the required recommenders to provide their letters according to the program instructions.
   6. Complete the essays and short answers: Use these sections to explain your experiences, goals, values and future ambitions.
   7. Submit the video component: Complete the required video submission within the specified time limit.
   8. Complete any assessment requirements: Applicants selected to continue may be invited to an in-person assessment.
   9. Submit before the deadline: Make sure the Knight-Hennessy application and the Stanford graduate program application are completed according to their respective deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions