The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program will annually identify a group of up to 100 high-achieving students from around the world with demonstrated leadership and civic commitment to receive full funding to pursue a wide-ranging graduate education at Stanford, with the goal of developing a new generation of global leaders. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the largest fully endowed scholars program in the world.

As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar you will develop both the depth and range of subject expertise to confront the numerous grand challenges and opportunities of the future. You will be part of a unique community of change agents from a diverse range of backgrounds. This is a community that will support you, motivate you, and hold you accountable for achieving your goals even when the odds of success seem likely against you.

If you remember only one thing from this 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).

You should check each department's website for a sense of what it seeks in candidates. 

Please read about the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship selection criteria here.

Where we find evidence of these criteria is throughout your application materials and, if you are selected as a finalist, at Immersion Weekend. We look forward to getting to know you, what you have done, your influences, ideals, hopes, and dreams.

Please review complete eligibility criteria at https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/admission/eligibility.

• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

The application for enrollment in fall typically opens in the summer one year in advance of your planned enrollment date. For example, if your planned enrollment would start in fall 2026, then you would apply during summer 2025.

Please find complete application requirements and information at https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/admission/preparing-your-applications.

Finalists are invited to Stanford for Immersion Weekend, which will be evaluative and informative.

Applicants for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program must also apply separately to the specific Stanford graduate degree program that you want to pursue, meeting those individual program deadlines and requirements.

Selection criteria for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program are detailed at https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/admission/criteria, along with additional guidance, tips and advice.

UW undergraduate students and alumni applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program should connect with us for advice, feedback on application materials, additional guidance and information!

• UW-Seattle undergrads & bachelor's alums, contact Robin Chang, Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards, robinc@uw.edu, 206-543-2603, MGH 171
• UW-Bothell students, contact Kimberly Wilson, UWB Career Services, kwilson2@uw.edu, 425-352-5306, UW1-160
• UW-Tacoma students, contact Dr. Vanessa deVeritch Woodside, vdw@uw.edu