What the funding covers
- Tuition for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford.
- A stipend for living and academic expenses.
- A travel stipend for one annual trip to and from Stanford.
- The King Global Leadership Program: a leadership curriculum alongside your degree.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition for up to three years of graduate study | The scholarship |
| Living and academic expenses | The scholarship stipend |
| One trip a year to and from Stanford | The travel stipend |
| Knight-Hennessy application | Free: there is no application fee |
| Your Stanford degree programme's application fee | You pay it when you apply to the programme |
| US student visa: $185 application fee and $350 SEVIS fee, plus a new $250 visa integrity fee that some embassies now charge | You, before you travel |
Who can apply
- Applicants of any nationality applying to a full-time graduate degree at Stanford (master's, PhD, MBA, JD, MD and more).
- For the 2027 cohort, a first bachelor's degree earned in 2020 or later (current students who graduate by September 2027 are eligible).
- Selection looks for independence of thought, purposeful leadership and a civic mindset.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- The Knight-Hennessy online application form and a résumé
- Transcripts, and any test scores you have; you can apply without scores and add them later
- Recommendation letters, submitted by your recommenders by the application deadline (6 October 2026 for the 2027 cohort)
- Short answers and a personal essay reflecting on your life's journey
- A video statement, only if invited; about 500 applicants are asked in January
How to apply
- For the 2027 cohort, applications closed on 6 October 2026 at 1 pm Pacific Time. The application for the 2028 cohort opens in summer 2027.
- Separately apply to your Stanford graduate programme (by 1 December 2026, or the programme's own earlier deadline) to stay eligible.
- Finalists attend an immersion weekend at Stanford in the new year; offers follow in the spring.
Before you apply: things to know
- The Knight-Hennessy deadline (6 October 2026 for the 2027 cohort) came months before most Stanford programme deadlines.
- You must be admitted to the Stanford programme too; the scholarship does not guarantee admission.
- The bachelor's-degree year window moves forward each cycle; check it for your cohort.
Common questions
Is there an application fee?
Not for Knight-Hennessy. You still pay whatever fee your Stanford graduate programme charges when you submit that application.
Can I combine it with a Stanford MBA?
Yes, but only the MBA's Round 1 deadline fits the Knight-Hennessy timeline, so apply in Round 1.
Do I need test scores before I apply?
No. You can submit the Knight-Hennessy application without scores and add new or updated scores after you submit.