Overview
The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program is a prestigious fully funded scholarship for international and domestic students pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University in the USA. It aims to develop visionary leaders who can address complex global challenges by fostering cross-cultural exchange, collaboration, and community service among scholars from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Coverage
This is a fully funded scholarship for up to three years. It covers full tuition fees, a living allowance (for room, board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transport, and reasonable personal expenses), and economy class return air tickets to and from Stanford. Scholars also receive a supplementary grant for educational enrichment activities like conferences and travel, and a one-time relocation stipend to help with relocation and technology-related expenses.
Eligibility
Applicants from any nationality, ethnicity, gender, or age are eligible. You must be enrolled in, or applying to, a full-time Stanford graduate degree program (including DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, PhD, JSM, MLS, LLM, or MSTP). Applicants must be new students enrolling in a graduate program and must have earned their first/bachelor’s degree in 2019 or later. Exceptions apply for US military personnel (degree not earned before 2017). Applicants must meet one of four conditions: apply separately but simultaneously to KHS and a Stanford graduate program; have deferred admission to a Stanford graduate program; be a current Stanford graduate student pursuing a second degree; or be a current Stanford PhD student in their first year applying for KHS to start in their second year.
Requirements
Required application materials include essays, academic transcripts, a one-page resume, an online application, an in-person assessment, standardized test scores, two recommendation letters, and two short-answer responses. For English proficiency, all Stanford graduate programs accept TOEFL. The MBA program also accepts IELTS and PTE. Ensure all required scores are obtained before applying.
How to apply
Applicants must submit two separate but concurrent online applications: one for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program and another for a Stanford graduate degree program. You must indicate the specific Stanford degree program you are applying to within the scholarship form. It is recommended to submit referee information early to ensure letters are submitted before the deadline. Complete all application sections thoroughly and allow ample time for materials like personal statements or essays. All required application materials must be submitted in English via the online application. You can update test scores through your application status page if new scores are received after submission. It is recommended to use an updated Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser for the application. Stanford graduate degree applications must be submitted by the program's deadline for Knight-Hennessy applicants or by December 1, 2026, whichever comes first. MBA applicants must apply through the Round 1 deadline.
Notes
The scholarship provides an excellent opportunity to explore American culture, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and become part of an international network. Scholars will develop skills and training to resolve challenges through creativity and decision-making. The Denning House at Stanford serves as a hub for scholars to share ideas and experiences.
