Knight-Hennessy Scholarship 2025 in the United States

Stanford University Opens Applications for the Prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Academic Year 2026–2027

Stanford University is now accepting applications for its highly prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. Established by Phil Knight (co-founder of Nike) and former Stanford President John Hennessy, this fully funded scholarship is designed for talented individuals from across the globe who aspire to pursue a Master’s, PhD, MBA, or MD degree at one of the world’s most renowned universities.

More than just a scholarship, the Knight-Hennessy program is an immersive leadership experience within a dynamic and diverse community of exceptional scholars, united by a shared ambition to make a positive impact on the world.

Application Deadline: October 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

Don’t miss this opportunity—the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship could be the defining launchpad for your academic and professional future.

What Does the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Offer?

This prestigious scholarship provides outstanding financial support to enable students from around the world to thrive at Stanford. It includes:

• Full tuition coverage for up to three years.
• A generous monthly stipend to cover housing, meals, academic materials, and personal expenses.
• Annual round-trip airfare between your home country and Stanford.
• Relocation grant to assist with initial moving expenses upon arrival in the U.S.
• Additional funding for academic enrichment activities such as conferences and specialized seminars.

Who is Eligible for This Exceptional Opportunity?

The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship is open to a broad and inclusive range of applicants—regardless of nationality, age, or professional background. You are eligible if:

• You earned (or will earn) your bachelor’s degree or equivalent after January 2019.
• You are admitted to a full-time graduate degree program at Stanford (Master’s, PhD, MBA, JD, MD, MFA, etc.).

Undocumented students residing in the U.S. are also encouraged to apply, provided they meet the admission requirements of their chosen Stanford program.

What Profiles is the Knight-Hennessy Program Looking For?

This highly selective program seeks individuals who demonstrate:

• Strong intellectual curiosity and an ambitious vision for the future.
• Motivation to tackle complex global challenges with creativity and critical thinking.
• A multicultural perspective and a desire to contribute innovative viewpoints to the Stanford community.
• A clear commitment to creating a meaningful and lasting impact in the world.

Which Programs Are Eligible for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship?

The scholarship supports a wide range of full-time graduate programs at Stanford, including:

• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
• MA (Master of Arts) / MS (Master of Science)
• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• MD (Doctor of Medicine)
• JD (Juris Doctor)
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
• DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts)
• MPP (Master of Public Policy)*

Any full-time graduate program at Stanford may qualify you for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, provided you meet the program’s own admissions criteria.

 [View the complete list of eligible programs here.]

How to Apply for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

To be considered, you must submit two separate applications:

1. An application for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program.

2. A separate application for your chosen graduate program at Stanford (e.g., Master’s, PhD, MBA, etc.).

These applications are evaluated independently by separate admissions committees. It is crucial to meet the specific requirements and deadlines for both.

Key Deadlines to Remember

• Knight-Hennessy Scholars application deadline: October 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM PT.
• Stanford program application deadlines: Vary by department—check with the specific program for exact dates.

Sample Program Deadlines:

• MBA (Graduate School of Business): Opens June 2025; closes September 2025.
• MD (School of Medicine): June 2025 – October 2025.
• Education (Master’s & PhD): October 2025 – November 2025.
• JD and Advanced Law Degrees: September 2025 – December 2025.
• Other graduate programs: October 2025 – December 2025.

What Level of Excellence is Required?

Stanford—and especially the Knight-Hennessy Program—is extremely competitive. To be selected, candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong leadership qualities.

• In the most recent cycle, over 8,000 applicants competed for just 100 spots.
• Admitted scholars typically hold a GPA of 3.96/4.0 on average.
• In 2023, Stanford’s overall acceptance rate was only 4%, with programs like medicine even lower at 2.3%.

A Rigorous Selection Process

The scholarship selection involves several key steps:

1. Submission of a complete application by the deadline.

2. Thorough review of written applications.

3. A video response for shortlisted candidates (January).

4. Final interviews during the Immersion Weekend at Stanford (March 2026).

5. Final decisions announced shortly thereafter.

Submit your application today or visit the official Knight-Hennessy Scholars website to learn more about this life-changing opportunity.

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