Funding & benefits
A fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees
A stipend for living and academic expenses (such as room and board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses)
A travel stipend intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford
Newly enrolling scholars receive a one-time relocation stipend intended to offset some of the costs associated with relocation to the area and/or technology purchases.
Scholars in their second and third years may apply for supplemental funds to support academic enrichment activities (e.g., conference travel).
The Medical School will fund the remaining years, consistent with its standard funding commitment to MD students, which consists of tuition support and stipend.
Fellowship stipends are taxable, but not subject to withholding (except for international students from a country without a tax treaty). Please carefully review the tax information at the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and be sure to budget accordingly for any tax responsibilities. Knight-Hennessy Scholars does not reimburse students for taxes.
Eligible programmes & fields
The verified record currently describes the eligible study scope instead of presenting a misleading finite degree list. Use the field scope above and confirm the current course rules on the official scholarship/provider website.
About the scholarship
Stanford graduate scholarship and leadership programme open to applicants from all countries who are applying to an eligible Stanford graduate degree.
Depending on the award tier or route, verified benefits include Full tuition coverage, travel support. The opportunity currently maps to study areas including All eligible Stanford graduate fields. Use the programme and eligibility sections below to decide whether the opportunity matches your academic background before opening the official application portal.
Key dates
Eligibility requirements
- You are applying separately but concurrently to KHS and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program such that you will start both in the same year.
- You have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to KHS such that you will start both in the same year.
- You are a current Stanford graduate student who will apply to add a new full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such that you will start both KHS and the new program in the same year.
- Master of Liberal Arts
- Doctor of Science of Law (JSD) and the Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their PhD discipline
- Coterminal degrees (current Stanford coterminal students are eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars if they apply to a new full-time Stanford degree program through the external application process and will begin both the new degree program and Knight-Hennessy Scholars in the same year)
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
- Must satisfy the English-language and other admission requirements of the Stanford graduate programme being applied to.
- Citizens and residents of all countries are encouraged to apply.
- For the 2027 cohort, the first bachelor's degree must generally have been earned in January 2020 or later; a two-year extension applies for qualifying military service. Current students must complete the first degree by September 2027.
Applicants whose first bachelor's degree falls outside the applicable eligibility window are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars for the 2027 cohort.
Selection criteria
- Independence of Thought
- Purposeful Leadership
- Civic Mindset
Should you apply?
Likely a good fit if
- You are looking for Master's or PhD / Doctoral or Professional degree funding.
- Your intended study area is related to All eligible Stanford graduate fields.
- Your citizenship / nationality satisfies the stated applicant rule.
- Your prior academic background meets the stated degree requirement.
- You can satisfy the stated English-language requirement.
- You want a fully funded route rather than tuition-only support.
- You are prepared to study in United States.
Review carefully if
- Applicants whose first bachelor's degree falls outside the applicable eligibility window are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars for the 2027 cohort.
- Applicants who do not hold the required prior degree/background may not be eligible.
- Applicants who cannot meet the stated language requirement should review the official waiver/rule carefully.
This is a factual screening summary based on the verified eligibility information above; the awarding institution makes the final eligibility decision.
Required documents
- Resume
- Academic transcript
- Recommendation letters
Application process
Submit Knight-Hennessy Scholars application by the KHS deadline
Submit separate Stanford graduate programme application by the earlier applicable Stanford deadline or 1 December 2026
Complete programme-specific admission requirements
Official sources & verification
ScholarshipFrontier checks official scholarship, admissions and programme pages and keeps source evidence separate from the public summary.
Official sources last checked: 17 Aug 2026