Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University)

Job Description: Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) is a prestigious graduate-level fellowship at Stanford University that provides full funding for up to 3 years of study for any graduate degree at Stanford.The program seeks to develop a multidisciplinary community of future global leaders in various fields by facilitating leadership training, mentorship, and experiential learning alongside their Stanford studies. Each year ~100 high-achieving students worldwide are selected to join. Knight-Hennessy is essentially a scholarship coupled with a leadership development program, aiming to “prepare leaders to address global challenges through collaboration and innovation.”

Role Description: Knight-Hennessy Scholars are first and foremost graduate students in their respective Stanford programs (master’s, Ph.D., MBA, JD, MD, etc.), and concurrently participate in the King Global Leadership Program. This co-curricular program includes weekly seminars, leadership skill workshops, retreats, speaker series, and global study trips. Scholars are expected to engage with their cohort across disciplines, broadening their perspectives beyond their own field. There is a strong emphasis on community – Scholars live on campus and interact regularly. They do not have specific duties to Knight-Hennessy apart from active participation in these enrichment activities and maintaining good standing in their degree programs. After completion (or during summers), Scholars may access internships and mentors via the program’s network. The ultimate “role” is to become an ethical, effective leader in one’s field; many alumni go on to impactful careers in academia, industry, government, or non-profits, supported by the KHS network.

Application Cycle: Annual (application opens in spring; deadline in Oct; finalists interviewed in February; Scholars admitted in spring to enroll the following fall)

What You’ll Need:

• • A bachelor’s degree received within the last ~5 years. (For the 2026 cohort, you must have earned your first bachelor’s by January 2019 or later.) Current college seniors are eligible, as are those with some post-college experience.
  • Acceptance (or application) to a full-time Stanford graduate program. You must apply separately to the Stanford department (or already be a first-year Stanford grad student). Only those who gain admission to Stanford will receive the scholarship.
  • Outstanding academic ability, demonstrated by transcripts, test scores, and accomplishments. There is no set minimum GPA, but the pool is extremely competitive.
  • Demonstrated capacity for leadership and civic commitment. The application will ask for examples of how you have led and made an impact in your community and what leadership means to you.

Preferred or Required Qualifications:

• • Required: English proficiency (all instruction is in English; non-native speakers prove proficiency via prior study or tests). Also, you must be independent in obtaining admission to Stanford – meeting all that program’s prerequisites (e.g., relevant undergrad major, test scores like GRE/GMAT, etc.).
  • Preferred: Demonstrated “Knight-Hennessy” traits”—these include independence of thought (innovative mindset, original thinking), purposeful leadership (ambition results with humility and inclusivity), and civic mindset (a desire to collaborate and address societal issues). The selection criteria explicitly focus on these qualities.
  • There are no nationality restrictions—applicants from all countries are eligible in roughly equal consideration. (Undocumented students can apply as well.) However, being globally minded and having cross-cultural interests will align well with the program’s ethos.

Benefits and Perks:

• • Full financial support for up to 3 years at Stanford. This includes tuition and associated fees, a living stipend to cover room and board and personal expenses, and an allowance for travel (including one annual economy-class ticket to and from Stanford). For scholars in one-year master’s programs, funding is for that year; for longer degrees like Ph.D. or MD, KHS covers the first 3 years, and the department or other sources fund the remaining years.
  • Participation in the King Global Leadership Program (KGLP)—a rich array of leadership-development offerings. Scholars attend retreats and workshops led by experts, receive one-on-one coaching, and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects. For example, scholars might do design-thinking training at the d.school, public speaking coaching, etc.
  • Community and networking: Scholars form an elite, tight-knit cohort across all Stanford graduate schools. They also interact with global leaders—past events have featured talks by heads of state, CEOs, innovators, etc. The Knight-Hennessy alumni network continues to provide support after graduation.
  • Additional perks: Funds are available for experiential learning (such as conference travel or special research projects). Scholars also get to reside in a dedicated scholars’ community (if they choose campus housing). The program often facilitates internships or mentorships via Stanford’s extensive connections.

Where and How You Can Apply:

Official Website: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu – Online Application – The application requires: a personal story essay, a leadership impact essay, a short answer section, a resume, two recommendation letters (distinct from Stanford’s letters), and an optional video introduction. No test scores are required for KHS itself (but you must take GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT etc., for your Stanford program). Note: You must submit the Knight-Hennessy application by the October deadline and the Stanford graduate program application by its deadline (typically December/January). Finalists will be invited to Stanford for Immersion Weekend (assessment and interviews) before final selection.