The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, a transformative study Stanford University initiative, invites global students to pursue Master’s, Ph.D., MS, MBA, MFA, MD, JD, or joint-/dual-degree programs at Stanford University, a top-tier institution founded in 1885 in Stanford, California. Ranked #3 globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), Stanford hosts 15,000+ students from 90+ countries across seven graduate schools: Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Education, and Earth Sciences. As a global leadership vanguard, this US graduate scholarships program fosters a multidisciplinary academic odyssey, equipping scholars to tackle global challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Launched in 2016 by Phil Knight and John Hennessy, the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship selects 84–100 scholars annually, forming a multicultural cohort to address issues like climate change, healthcare equity, and technological ethics. Scholars engage in interdisciplinary research, leadership development, and global immersion programs via the King Global Leadership Program, offered at Stanford’s Business students explore sustainable entrepreneurship, while Medicine scholars advance global health solutions. Engineering candidates innovate AI technologies, and Law students shape policy frameworks, contributing to worldwide impact. With 597 alumni since 2025 representing 25+ countries, scholars join a global network, collaborating with UN, World Bank, and Silicon Valley leaders, with 25% launching social impact ventures post-graduation.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship promotes cross-cultural leadership. Scholars connect with Denning House, an award-winning hub, to engage with peers, faculty, and industry mentors from over 80 countries, participating in seminars, cultural exchanges, and community initiatives. The program’s inclusive framework fosters diverse perspectives, aligning with U.S. global education goals. Campus events, like Stanford Innovation Summit, Palo Alto Art Fair, or Silicon Valley Tech Week, and scholar-led groups, such as Stanford Global Scholars Network, enrich the dynamic academic experience, enhancing collaborative skills.

Studying in Stanford Bay Area, scholars embark on a multidisciplinary academic odyssey. They explore landmarks like San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, or Yosemite National Park, immersing in America’s cultural vibrancy. Events like San Francisco Pride, Monterey Jazz Festival, or Stanford Powwow deepen engagement. Stanford’s Silicon Valley campus, with cutting-edge labs, innovation hubs, and libraries centers, supports a global academic immersion, enhanced by connectivity to New York, Seoul, and Berlin. The Bay Area’s safe, innovative environment (Niche Best Cities 2025) complements academic pursuits.

Join a global cohort to champion visionary leadership, embrace multicultural diversity, and shape a transformative future with Knight-Hennessy Scholarship!

Stanford University Scholarship Program Details:

Host Country:

•United States of America

Host University:

•Stanford University

Course Level:

•Fully funded US Scholarships to study Masters, Ph.D., MS, MBA, MFA, MD, JD degrees at Stanford University

No. of Knight Hennessy Scholarships:

•100

Scholarship Value:

•Funding includes tuition, stipend, graduate program, and related academic expenses, with additional financial support available.

Opportunity Focus Areas: 

•Scholarships are available to pursue Graduate (PhD) degree program in arts, engineering, education, humanities, or social sciences to professional degrees in business, law, or medicine.

Eligibility Criteria for Knight Hennessy Scholarship:

1. Are you a potential Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University? Below is a general listing of the eligibility factors.

2. They encourage applications to Knight-Hennessy Scholars from residents of all countries.

3. Any Academic Discipline in any of Stanford’s Graduate Schools.

4. You are eligible to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program if you are applying to enroll in a full-time graduate program(s) at Stanford (for example, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or Ph.D.) or if you plan on pursuing one of Stanford’s many joints- and dual- graduate degree options (for example, but not limited to, MD+PhD, JD+MA, MBA+MS).

5. You are eligible to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program if you received your first/bachelor’s degree in 2014 or later. That means: You must have graduated to enroll at Stanford in autumn.

6. U.S. military (active or veteran) applicants: You receive a two-year extension of eligibility due to longer service commitments. You are eligible if you earned your undergraduate (bachelor’s or first) degree in 2012 or later.

7. If you are still in college studying for your first/bachelor’s degree, you are eligible to apply as long as you will complete your first/bachelor’s degree before you enroll as a graduate student at Stanford.

8. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.

Required Documents for Knight Hennessy Scholars Program:

1. Recommendation letter (if available).

2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Graduation of bachelor’s or master’s degree.

3. Academic transcript of bachelor’s or master’s program (if required).

4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).

5. CV (if required).

6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).

7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.

8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).

9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).

10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).

11. Standardized Test Score.

12. Essays.

13. Tow Short-Answer Responses.

14. Video Story.

15. In-Person Assessment.

Selection Criteria:

If you remember only one thing from this admission section, please remember this: to be selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, you must apply separately to the Stanford graduate degree program you wish to pursue in addition to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. We can’t select you as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar if the department doesn’t admit you (though the department may admit you even if you’re not selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar).

For Knight-Hennessy Scholars, we look primarily at three areas:

1. Independence of Thought

•First-step mental sharpness.
•Seeks out knowledge and new experiences.
•Full of original ideas.
•Makes sense in ambiguous situations.
•Can hold a contrarian or dissenting point of view.

2. Purposeful Leadership

•Ambitious, in the best sense of the word.
•Driven to improve self.
•Willing to take risks.
•Self-aware.
•Persists and bounces back from adversity.

3. Civic Mindset

•Personally humble and kind.
•Inclusive.
•Respect differences.
•Concerned for and helpful to others.
•Low ego.

Scholarship Deadline:

• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.

• The registration for 2026 is open with a tentative deadline in October 2025.

Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.