Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Stanford University · All India
| Scheme Name | Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program |
| Provided By | Stanford University |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters, PhD, MBA · No income limit |
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 6 October 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹117.8 Lakh+
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program provides comprehensive funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford University. This includes a fellowship to cover tuition and associated fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses (such as room and board, books, academic supplies, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses), and a travel stipend for one annual economy-class trip to and from Stanford. If a scholar's degree program extends beyond three years (e.g., certain PhD or MD programs), the respective Stanford academic department will typically fund the remainder of the education, consistent with its standard funding commitments for that program. The scholarship amounts are disbursed in USD and converted to INR at the prevailing exchange rates; Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an international scholarship provided by Stanford University.
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Nationality:Open to citizens of all countries.
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Age Limit:No age limit.
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Undergraduate Degree Date:
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Applicants must have earned their first bachelor's degree in January 2020 or later, or be on track to earn it by September 2027 (for the 2027 cohort).
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For U.S. military (active or veteran) applicants, the eligibility window is extended by two years; they must have earned their first bachelor's degree in January 2018 or later to enroll in 2027.
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If you earned your first/bachelor's degree more than seven years before your intended enrollment date (i.e., in 2019 or earlier for Autumn 2027 intake), you are not eligible.
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Graduate Degree Programs:
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Applicants must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program (including but not limited to DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs, or joint-degree/dual-degree programs).
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The following Stanford graduate degree programs are not eligible: Honors Cooperative Program, Master of Liberal Arts, Doctor of Science of Law (JSD), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their PhD discipline, and Coterminal degrees (unless applying to a *new* full-time Stanford degree program through the external application process and beginning both the new degree and KHS in the same year).
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Current Stanford Students:Enrolled Stanford graduate students are eligible to apply if they defer enrollment to 2027 or apply for a *new* full-time Stanford graduate degree program that starts in 2027.
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Stanford Graduate Admission:Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their chosen Stanford graduate program.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters, PhD, MBA |
| Course / Stream | Masters, PhD, MBA |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Online Knight-Hennessy Scholars application form
- ✓One-page Resume
- ✓Academic Transcripts (unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended for one academic year or longer; must include degree conferred and conferral date if applicable; official English translation required if not in English)
- ✓Test Scores (only if required by your specific Stanford graduate degree program, including English proficiency exams like TOEFL/IELTS)
- ✓Two Letters of Recommendation (distinct from graduate program letters; must address independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic mindset with specific examples)
- ✓Three Short Answer Responses (250-word limit for academic/professional intentions; 250-word limit total for engaging with different perspectives, acting with courage, and falling short of expectations; 150-word limit total for 8 improbable facts about you)
- ✓One Personal Essay ("Connect the Dots: How have the influences in your life shaped you?" - 500-word limit)
- ✓Video Statement (by invitation only for shortlisted candidates)
- ✓Separate application to your chosen full-time Stanford graduate degree program (with its own specific requirements, e.g., Statement of Purpose, program-specific essays, application fee, additional LORs)
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on three core criteria: Independence of Thought, Purposeful Leadership, and a Civic Mindset
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There is no specific formula for admission
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instead, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate these qualities through their unique experiences and accomplishments
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Applicants must concurrently apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program (including but not limited to DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs) to be eligible for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program
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While there is no minimum GPA set by Knight-Hennessy Scholars, applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements of their chosen Stanford graduate program
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Competitive candidates for fellowships like this often have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
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The selection process involves:an initial online application review
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an invitation for a video statement for a subset of applicants (up to 500)
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and for finalists (up to 180), an invitation to an Immersion Weekend at Stanford for individual and group interviews
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Approximately 100 scholars are ultimately selected each year.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship provides funding for up to three years of graduate education
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For degree programs that extend beyond three years, such as many PhD or MD programs, the scholar's respective Stanford academic department is committed to funding the remaining years of study, aligning with its standard funding practices for that particular program
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Continued funding for the initial three years is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress in the Stanford graduate program and adherence to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program guidelines.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Create Applications
As early as possible, create separate online applications for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and your desired full-time Stanford graduate degree program(s). You must apply to both concurrently. **
- 2Recommenders
Input your recommenders' information into both applications promptly to allow them ample time to submit their letters. **
- 3Complete Applications
Fill out all sections of both the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application and your Stanford graduate degree program application(s). This includes submitting your resume, academic transcripts, short answers, essays, and any standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS) required by your specific Stanford graduate program. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program follows the testing policies of your graduate degree program. **
- 4Submit Knight-Hennessy Scholars Application
Submit your completed Knight-Hennessy Scholars application by the deadline of October 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. **
- 5Submit Stanford Graduate Program Application
Submit your separate Stanford graduate degree program application(s) by the earlier of these two dates: your specific graduate program's deadline for Knight-Hennessy Scholars applicants, or December 1, 2026. **
- 6Video Statement (Invitation Only)
If you are selected after the initial review, you will be invited to submit a video statement. **
- 7Finalist Immersion Weekend (Invitation Only)
If you are selected as a finalist (typically in late January), you will be invited to an Immersion Weekend at Stanford in early March, which includes individual and group interviews. **
- 8Notification
Scholars are typically notified of their selection on March 16, 2027. Tracking Status: After submitting your Knight-Hennessy Scholars application, you can check your application status and update certain materials (like test scores) through your KHS application status page on the official website. For your Stanford graduate program application status, refer to the admissions portal of your specific department.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Are there any restrictions on age, nationality, or field of study for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program?
No, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program has no restrictions based on age, citizenship, or field of study. It encourages citizens and residents of all countries to apply to pursue any full-time graduate degree at Stanford University.
Do I need to apply to Stanford University separately, or does the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship application cover both?
Yes, you must submit two separate but concurrent applications: one to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and another to your desired full-time Stanford graduate degree program. Admission to a Stanford graduate program is a prerequisite for becoming a Knight-Hennessy Scholar.
What if my Stanford graduate degree program takes longer than three years to complete?
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program provides full funding for up to three years of your graduate education. If your degree program extends beyond three years (such as most PhD or MD programs), your specific Stanford academic department will commit to funding the remainder of your education, in line with its standard funding policies for that program.
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