Scholarship Guides Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford): How to Apply
USA (Stanford) · Application Guide
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) builds a community of future leaders and funds them to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford University (PhD, master's, or professional degree such as MBA, JD, MD). Roughly 90 to 100 scholars are selected each year. You must complete two separate applications, the Knight-Hennessy application and your Stanford graduate degree program's application, and meet both deadlines.
Administered by: Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026
Knight-Hennessy funds any Stanford graduate degree, but you must first decide which degree program or programs you want. You apply to KHS and to that program separately.
The KHS application includes personal and academic information, a resume, transcripts and test scores (as required by your degree program), and letters of recommendation. For the 2027 cohort the KHS deadline is 6 October 2026 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.
Separately apply to your Stanford degree program by its own deadline (most programs close 1 December 2026 for the 2027 cohort; some earlier). Admission to Stanford is decided by the degree program.
Knight-Hennessy reviews complete applications, selects candidates for an interview (held in person or virtually), and makes final offers after Stanford admission decisions.
Scholars start their Stanford degree and the Knight-Hennessy leadership program together in the autumn.
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.