Overview
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a graduate fellowship at Stanford University that covers full tuition, a living stipend, and travel for scholars pursuing any graduate degree at Stanford — law, medicine, business, engineering, or any other school — while also enrolling them in a separate, non-credit leadership and cohort program alongside their degree.
Eligibility
Applicants must be admitted to (or applying to) a Stanford graduate program independently of Knight-Hennessy — the fellowship doesn't grant admission on its own, it funds students who are separately admitted. There are limits on how many years of prior work or study experience applicants can have, so check current program rules before applying.
How to Apply
The Knight-Hennessy application is separate from, but coordinated with, your Stanford graduate program application — both typically need to be in progress in the same cycle. The process includes essays focused on leadership and "purposeful" impact, references, and for shortlisted candidates, an interview specific to the fellowship.
Tips
- Apply to your Stanford graduate program and to Knight-Hennessy in the same cycle — check the exact sequencing on the current year's timeline, since it has changed in past cycles.
- The fellowship's essays focus more on leadership and impact than academic achievement alone — prepare distinct material from your program application essays.
- Only apply if you're genuinely committed to the specific Stanford program — Knight-Hennessy funding cannot be used to "reconsider" your degree choice.
Always confirm current deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility directly on the official program or university website (knight-hennessy.stanford.edu) before applying — these details change from year to year.