Knight-Hennessy Scholars has no restrictions based on age, college or university, field of study, or career aspiration. We encourage citizens and residents of all countries to apply. We do not require applicants to seek endorsements from colleges, universities, or other institutions. Additionally, we have no quotas by discipline, program, or world region.
There are two baseline eligibility requirements.
Please note the eligibility requirements below are for those applying to join the 2027 cohort and may change for future cohorts.
Requirement 1: Admission to Stanford
First, in addition to applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS), you must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs. You must meet at least one of the following four conditions to be eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars:
You are applying separately but concurrently to KHS and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program such that you will start both in the same year.
You have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to KHS such that you will start both in the same year.
You are a current Stanford graduate student who will apply to add a new full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such that you will start both KHS and the new program in the same year.
You are a current Stanford PhD student in your first year of enrollment, and will apply to KHS such that you will start KHS in your second year of PhD enrollment.
Please note that the following Stanford graduate degree programs are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars:
Honors Cooperative Program
Master of Liberal Arts
Doctor of Science of Law (JSD) and the Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
Current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their PhD discipline
Coterminal degrees (current Stanford coterminal students are eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars if they apply to a new full-time Stanford degree program through the external application process and will begin both the new degree program and Knight-Hennessy Scholars in the same year)
Requirement 2: Undergraduate Degree Date
Second, you must have earned, in January 2020 or later, a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing.
To apply to join the cohort in: You must have earned your first bachelor’s degree by:
2027 January 2020 or later
For applicants who served in the military, we extend the eligibility window by two years in acknowledgement of longer service commitments; you must have earned your degree in January 2018 or later to enroll in 2027. Current college students are eligible if you will earn your first degree by September 2027. Within the eligibility window, we do not give preference based on recency of the degree.
Awards:-
- Full tuition coverage: Covers full tuition and associated graduate study costs at Stanford University. The scholarship supports the complete duration of the eligible degree program.
- Living stipend support: Provides a generous living allowance to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses during the study period.
- Travel support: Includes an annual travel stipend to support academic and personal travel needs.
- Leadership development training: Scholars receive structured training focused on leadership, communication, and global impact.
- Multidisciplinary community access: Students join a diverse global network of scholars from different academic and professional backgrounds.
- Mentorship and networking: Access to faculty mentors, global experts, and professional networks across industries and disciplines.
Deadline:- 06-10-2026
