The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University is a graduate scholarship program for students from around the world who want to pursue full-time graduate study at Stanford. The program brings together a multidisciplinary and multicultural community of scholars and focuses on developing future leaders through leadership development, community engagement, and interdisciplinary learning. Applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply, with no restrictions based on citizenship, age, field of study, college or university, or career aspiration.

Benefits of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Selected Knight-Hennessy Scholars receive funding to support their graduate education at Stanford. The program also provides opportunities to participate in leadership development activities and become part of a diverse community of graduate students from different academic and cultural backgrounds.

Scholars participate in activities such as leadership development, multidisciplinary discussions, scholar-led projects, and community-building experiences. The program also offers opportunities for global travel and study and collaboration with scholars from different disciplines.

The scholarship is designed to complement a scholar’s Stanford graduate degree rather than replace the separate admission process for that degree program.

Eligibility Criteria Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 2027

To apply for the 2027 Knight-Hennessy Scholars cohort, applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

• Applicants must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree program.
• Eligible programs include degrees such as MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, JD, DMA, and PhD programs.
• Applicants must have earned their first bachelor’s degree in January 2020 or later.
• Current undergraduate students may apply if they will earn their first bachelor’s degree by September 2027.
• Applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply.
• There are no restrictions based on age, field of study, university, or career aspiration.

Applicants are also expected to demonstrate qualities aligned with the program’s three admission criteria: independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete two separate applications: one for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program and another for their chosen Stanford graduate degree program. Both applications are required unless an applicant falls under specific exceptions outlined by Stanford.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars application includes:

1. Online application form
2. Resume
3. Transcripts and applicable test scores
4. Recommendation letters
5. Short-answer questions and essays

There is no application fee for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application, although applicants may need to pay the application fee required by their Stanford graduate degree program.

Application Deadline

For the 2027 cohort, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application deadline is:

October 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

Applicants must also submit their separate Stanford graduate program application by the earlier of that program’s applicable deadline or December 1, 2026. Since Stanford graduate program deadlines vary, applicants should verify the deadline for their intended program directly with Stanford.

Who Should Apply?

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is intended for graduate applicants who can demonstrate their academic preparation while also showing how their experiences, leadership, ideas, and values have shaped their goals. Stanford states that there is no single formula, score, achievement, or story that guarantees admission.

If you are planning to pursue graduate study at Stanford and meet the eligibility requirements, carefully review both the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application and the admission requirements of your intended Stanford graduate program before applying.

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