Knight-Hennessy Scholars — Apply to join the 2027 cohort

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University offers a fully funded fellowship for students pursuing graduate study. This post summarizes what the fellowship pays for, who is eligible, how to apply, key dates, and practical tips to prepare a strong submission.

Overview

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars fellowship supports students selected to join Stanford’s graduate community. It is administered by Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University) and is offered to applicants seeking admission to Stanford graduate degrees. Funding is full and intended to support scholars during the degree listed in the KHS admission letter, subject to program-specific limits.

What the scholarship pays for

  • Tuition and fees: The fellowship is applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees for the degree listed in the KHS admission letter.
  • Living and academic stipend: A stipend is provided for living and academic expenses such as housing, books, supplies and local transport.
  • Annual travel stipend: An annual travel stipend is included.
  • One-time relocation stipend: New scholars receive a one-time relocation payment.
  • Supplemental academic enrichment funds: Additional academic enrichment funds may be available in some cases; degree-length limits vary by program.

Who can apply

Applicants must be applying to enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree. Funding applies to the graduate degree listed in the KHS admission letter. Program-specific eligibility rules and funding length limits vary by degree; consult the program pages for any cohort-specific requirements.

How to apply

  1. Complete the Knight-Hennessy online application at the official Knight-Hennessy application site (apply.knight-hennessy.stanford.edu).
  2. Apply separately to the Stanford graduate program(s) you seek admission to. KHS requires admission to a Stanford graduate degree to finalize scholar status.
  3. Confirm that your application materials meet both KHS and your chosen Stanford program requirements before submitting.

Note: Knight-Hennessy Scholars has no separate application fee, but you may still need to pay application fees for the Stanford graduate program(s) you apply to.

Key dates

  • Application deadline: October 6, 2026. (Confirm exact times and any campus deadlines on the official site.)
  • Apply to Stanford graduate program(s) in time to meet their individual application deadlines, which may be different from the KHS deadline.

Practical tips

  • Coordinate applications: Start early so you can submit both the Knight-Hennessy application and the Stanford graduate program applications before each deadline.
  • Read program-specific funding rules: Funding length and conditions vary by degree—check the KHS program pages or contact the Stanford graduate program for details that affect your field.
  • Prepare supporting materials carefully: Ensure transcripts, references and any program-specific documents meet each application’s requirements well before the deadline.

For official application instructions, eligibility details and to begin your application, visit the Knight-Hennessy admission pages at https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/admission. Confirm every detail on the official website before applying.