Program Description: 

Title: Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026

Application Deadlines

• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Application Deadline: October 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

• Stanford Graduate Program Deadline: Varies by program — check the specific Stanford department’s website.

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026 Overview

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is a prestigious, fully funded graduate-level scholarship at Stanford University. It aims to develop a multidisciplinary and multicultural community of future global leaders who are independent thinkers, purposeful leaders, and committed to civic engagement. Each year, up to 100 high-achieving students from around the world are selected to pursue any full-time graduate degree at Stanford while participating in a transformative leadership development experience.

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026 Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2026 cohort, applicants must meet two baseline requirements:

1. Admission to Stanford Graduate Program
   You must apply to and be accepted into a full-time graduate program at Stanford (e.g., DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD). You must satisfy at least one of the following:

• Apply concurrently to both KHS and a Stanford graduate program to start in the same year.

• Already have deferred admission to a Stanford program and will start both in 2026.

• Be a current Stanford grad student applying to add a second full-time program.

• Be a first-year Stanford PhD student applying to start KHS in your second year.

Ineligible Programs Include:

• Honors Cooperative Program

• Master of Liberal Arts

• Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

• Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

• Coterminal programs

• MA/MS degrees added to a current PhD in the same discipline

2. Undergraduate Degree Date

• You must have earned your first bachelor’s degree in January 2019 or later.

• For military applicants, the window extends to January 2017 or later.

• Current students are eligible if they will earn their first degree by September 2026.

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026 Benefits

• Full funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford.

• Covers tuition, stipend for living and academic expenses, and travel.

• Access to leadership development programs and global networking opportunities.

• Participation in the King Global Leadership Program (KGLP).

• Additional funding for activities like conferences and internships.

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026: Application Requirements

• Separate applications for both Knight-Hennessy Scholars and the Stanford graduate program.

• Resume or CV.

• Transcripts.

• Two recommendation letters.

• One essay (up to 600 words).

• Short answer responses.

• Video statement (2 minutes max).

• Optional but recommended: personal story or leadership experience.

Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program 2026: Selection Criteria

Knight-Hennessy Scholars are selected based on three main attributes:

1. Independence of Thought

   • Clarity of thought, intellectual ability, openness to new ideas, and problem-solving capacity.

2. Purposeful Leadership

   • Ethical, resilient leaders who create positive change and inspire others.

3. Civic Mindset

   • Empathy, humility, and commitment to serving and improving the lives of others.

Restrictions

• Only full-time Stanford graduate degree programs are eligible.

• Applicants must apply to and be admitted to Stanford separately.

• Not open to students pursuing only undergraduate, executive, or part-time programs.

Application Process

1. Apply separately to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) and to your desired Stanford graduate program.

2. Submit all required documents through each platform.

3. If shortlisted, participate in the KHS Finalist Experience, including an interview and video submission.

4. Admissions decisions are announced by both KHS and Stanford.