Deadline: October 6, 2026.

As you consider whether Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the right complement to your Stanford graduate studies, they invite you to explore why we exist, what we do (leadership development, community, and funding), and to consider the benefits of joining a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort.

Nearly 3,000 graduate and professional school students enroll at Stanford annually. Each year, up to 100 future global leaders will be Knight-Hennessy scholars. Knight-Hennessy scholars span all seven schools at the university and bring a wide array of diverse academic experiences prior to enrolling at Stanford. Knight-Hennessy scholars are surrounded by fellow Stanford graduate students solving complex problems from different disciplinary approaches.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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:

1. 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.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars has no restrictions based on age, college or university, field of study, or career aspiration.
3. They encourage citizens and residents of all countries to apply.
4. They do not require applicants to seek endorsements from colleges, universities, or other institutions. Additionally, they have no quotas by discipline, program, or world region.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.  
8. 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.

BENEFITS

During each of the first three years of graduate study, Knight-Hennessy scholars receive several types of funding:

• A fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees
• A stipend for living and academic expenses (such as room and board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses)
• A travel stipend intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford

Additional funding specific to certain years:

• Newly enrolling scholars receive a one-time relocation stipend intended to offset some of the costs associated with relocation to the area and/or technology purchases.
• Scholars in their second and third years may apply for supplemental funds to support academic enrichment activities  (e.g., conference travel).​

APPLICATION

1. To meet the eligibility criteria for Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS), your MBA program application must be submitted by the Round 1 deadline. Only the Round 1 application deadline for the MBA program aligns with the admission timeline for KHS. Learn more about the MBA program deadlines.
2. For KHS applicants whose degree programs have deadlines after December 1, 2026:You must submit your graduate degree program application by December 1, 2026 to remain eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars. If you submit your graduate program application after December 1, 2026 but before your graduate program’s deadline you will remain eligible for admission to your graduate program but you will not be eligible for admission to Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
3. For KHS applicants who have already been offered and deferred admission to enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate program(s) in 2027, or who are a Stanford PhD student who will start your PhD in 2026 and will begin your second year in 2027:You must submit one application to Knight-Hennessy Scholars. You do not need to submit another application to a graduate degree program.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE