Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027

Overview

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) brings together graduate students from across Stanford’s schools and combines graduate study with a leadership-development program. Each incoming scholar must also be admitted to an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree program.

KHS evaluates applicants for evidence of independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset. There are no quotas by discipline, program, or world region.

Eligibility

• Apply to and be admitted to an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree program for 2027, or qualify under the limited current-Stanford-PhD pathway.
• For the 2027 cohort, your first bachelor’s degree must have been earned in January 2020 or later.
• Applicants with qualifying military service receive a two-year extension and may have earned the first bachelor’s degree in January 2018 or later.
• Current undergraduate students may apply if they will complete their first degree by September 2027.
• There are no restrictions based on citizenship, age, undergraduate institution, field of study, or career aspiration.

Funding & Benefits

• A fellowship applied toward Stanford tuition and associated fees.
• A stipend for living and academic expenses, including room and board, books, supplies, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses.
• A travel stipend intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford.
• A one-time relocation stipend for newly enrolling scholars.
• Second- and third-year scholars may apply for supplemental funding for eligible academic-enrichment activities.
• KHS funding is available for up to three years; longer programs such as PhD or MD follow the applicable Stanford school or department funding structure after the KHS-funded period.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you meet the KHS eligibility rules for the 2027 cohort.
2. Select the Stanford graduate degree program(s) you intend to pursue.
3. Complete the separate Knight-Hennessy Scholars application.
4. Complete the separate Stanford graduate-program application and observe that program’s deadline.
5. For Stanford programs whose normal deadline is after 1 December 2026, submit the Stanford program application by 1 December 2026 to remain eligible for KHS.
6. Submit the KHS application no later than 6 October 2026 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.

Application Components

The KHS application has five core components:

• Online application with personal, academic, employment, activity, and award information.
• A concise one-page résumé.
• Undergraduate transcripts and graduate transcripts where applicable, plus relevant test-score information.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Short-answer responses and an essay.

You must also complete the application requirements for your chosen Stanford graduate program, which may request additional documents, tests, portfolios, or writing samples.

Important Dates

• 6 October 2026, 1:00 pm Pacific Time: Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027 application deadline.
• 1 December 2026: KHS applicants to Stanford graduate programs with later normal deadlines must submit the Stanford program application by this date to remain KHS-eligible.
• Other Stanford graduate-program deadlines vary by degree and school; applicants should confirm the deadline directly with their intended program.

FAQs

Is Knight-Hennessy open to international students?
Yes. KHS encourages citizens and residents of all countries to apply and has no citizenship quota.

Is Knight-Hennessy fully funded?
The program provides tuition and fee support, a living and academic stipend, annual travel support, and additional eligible funding for up to three years, subject to the degree structure and program terms.

Can PhD applicants apply?
Yes. PhD applicants may apply if they meet KHS and Stanford graduate-program requirements. For degree programs longer than three years, later funding follows the relevant Stanford program’s standard funding commitment.

Do I need a separate Stanford application?
Yes. Most applicants submit both the KHS application and a separate Stanford graduate-program application.

Information verified against the official Knight-Hennessy Scholars and Stanford application guidance for the 2027 cohort. Applicants should recheck the official website before submitting because program requirements can change.