Overview

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) Program at Stanford University is a highly competitive, fully funded graduate scholarship designed to develop future global leaders. It combines leadership development, a multicultural community experience, and comprehensive financial support for graduate study at Stanford.

Degree Level

The scholarship is open for:

  • Master’s degree programs (examples listed: MA, MBA, MPP, MS, MFA, etc.)
  • Doctoral degree programs (examples listed: PhD, MD, DMA, JD, etc.)
  • Dual-degree options at Stanford, where at least one program is at graduate level

Available Subjects

KHS is open to all academic disciplines offered by Stanford University’s graduate schools (the source lists example areas including business/management, law/public policy, medicine/health sciences, engineering/technology, humanities/social sciences, natural sciences, arts/creative fields, and interdisciplinary programs). Applicants must meet admission requirements for their chosen Stanford program.

Benefits (Funding)

Selected scholars receive:

  • Full tuition and associated fees for the Stanford graduate program
  • A living stipend for room, board, and personal expenses
  • A travel stipend for one annual trip to and from Stanford
  • Access to leadership training, community events, and networking opportunities
  • Membership in a lifelong alumni network of global changemakers

Why the Program Stands Out

The source highlights three core elements of the KHS experience: a multidisciplinary cohort (up to 100 scholars selected each year across Stanford’s seven schools), a multicultural community, and leadership development through experiential learning, mentorship, and workshops.

Eligible Nationalities

There are no nationality restrictions. Applicants from any country may apply if they meet the academic and degree-date requirements.

Eligibility Criteria (Baseline Requirements)

To be eligible, you must meet two baseline requirements:

  1. Admission to Stanford University: You must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program (examples listed include DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, PhD). You may apply to KHS and Stanford for the same year; you may have deferred Stanford admission to 2026; and first-year Stanford PhD students can apply to start KHS in their second year.
  2. Undergraduate degree date: You must have earned your first/bachelor’s degree in January 2019 or later (or January 2017 or later if you served in the military).

Selection Criteria

The admissions process looks for:

  • Independence of Thought
  • Purposeful Leadership
  • Civic Mindset

Key Dates and Deadlines

  • Knight-Hennessy Scholars application deadline: October 8, 2025, 1:00 PM Pacific Time (Closed)
  • Stanford graduate program deadline: Varies by program (check your department)
  • MBA applicants: Must apply by the Round 1 deadline to be considered for KHS
    The source advises checking the official website for the latest deadlines.

How to Apply

The source outlines these steps:

  1. Prepare the KHS application (including essays, recommendation letters, and personal statements reflecting leadership, vision, and community service)
  2. Submit a separate Stanford graduate program application before that program’s deadline
  3. Attend an information session or watch a recorded session to understand the process