Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program
Open to applicants from all nationalities worldwide
Program Overview!
Have you ever dreamed of fully funded graduate study at Stanford University? The Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program offers up to three years of full funding, access to a global leadership community, and the chance to pursue any eligible graduate degree at Stanford. Ideal for creative thinkers with civic passion, this scholarship is perfect for emerging leaders ready to tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. If you’ve earned your first bachelor’s within the last seven years and are applying to a full-time graduate program, this could be your ticket to a transformative academic and professional journey.
Knight‑Hennessy Scholars is Stanford University’s flagship graduate-level scholarship program, founded in 2016 through a major endowment by Phil Knight and John Hennessy. It selects approximately 100 high‑achieving scholars globally each year, supporting interdisciplinary graduate study across Stanford’s seven schools. Beyond academic funding, the program nurtures leadership through mentorship, retreats, community projects, and programming such as the King Global Leadership Program. Scholars collaborate within a multicultural cohort to conceive and implement global-impact initiatives. Dormitories like Denning House and signature events reinforce a community-driven culture grounded in civic purpose and innovation.
This cohort-based program invites exceptional applicants to pursue full-time graduate study (MA, MS, MBA, JD, MD, PhD, etc.) at Stanford. Admission requires concurrent application to a Stanford graduate program and the Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program. Selection hinges on three core values: Independence of Thought, Purposeful Leadership, and a Civic Mindset. Scholars join a dynamic, cross-disciplinary leadership development curriculum—including workshops, mentorship, retreat experiences, and collaborative projects like the KHeystone initiative—to amplify real-world impact.
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Benefits:
- Full tuition and fees funded for up to three years
- Generous living and academic stipend (room, board, supplies)
- Annual travel stipend (one economy fare per year)
- One-time relocation stipend + tech support at entry year
- Enrichment funding (e.g. conferences) available in years 2–3
- Structured leadership development via King Global Leadership Program, retreats, and McMurtry Lectures by renowned leaders
- Opportunity to lead KHeystone Projects—scholar-driven real-world impact ventures with funding and mentorship
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Eligibility Criteria
- Admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, submitted concurrently with the KHS application
- First bachelor’s degree earned on or after January 2019 (extended to January 2017 for military service graduates)
- Open to all nationalities and academic fields; no quotas per discipline or region
- Stanford graduate program admission requirements must be met, including standardized tests if required
- Selection based on: independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic engagement
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Application Process
- Start applications for both a Stanford graduate program and the Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program by 1 June 2025
- Complete the KHS online application: resume, transcripts, test scores (if needed), essays, recommendation letters
- Submit by deadline: October 8, 2025, 1:00 PM Pacific Time
- Video statement invites sent Jan 2026 (up to ~500 applicants); submission within 5–10 days of invite
- Finalists notified January 28, 2026, followed by remote interviews and on-campus Immersion Weekend (March 6–7)
- Scholarship offers sent on March 17, 2026
About Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program
Have you ever dreamed of fully funded graduate study at Stanford University? The Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program offers up to three years of full funding, access to a global leadership community, and the chance to pursue any eligible graduate degree at Stanford. Ideal for creative thinkers with civic passion, this scholarship is perfect for emerging leaders ready to tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. If you’ve earned your first bachelor’s within the last seven years and are applying to a full-time graduate program, this could be your ticket to a transformative academic and professional journey.
Knight‑Hennessy Scholars is Stanford University’s flagship graduate-level scholarship program, founded in 2016 through a major endowment by Phil Knight and John Hennessy. It selects approximately 100 high‑achieving scholars globally each year, supporting interdisciplinary graduate study across Stanford’s seven schools. Beyond academic funding, the program nurtures leadership through mentorship, retreats, community projects, and programming such as the King Global Leadership Program. Scholars collaborate within a multicultural cohort to conceive and implement global-impact initiatives. Dormitories like Denning House and signature events reinforce a community-driven culture grounded in civic purpose and innovation.
This cohort-based program invites exceptional applicants to pursue full-time graduate study (MA, MS, MBA, JD, MD, PhD, etc.) at Stanford. Admission requires concurrent application to a Stanford graduate program and the Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program. Selection hinges on three core values: Independence of Thought, Purposeful Leadership, and a Civic Mindset. Scholars join a dynamic, cross-disciplinary leadership development curriculum—including workshops, mentorship, retreat experiences, and collaborative projects like the KHeystone initiative—to amplify real-world impact.
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