Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027

Knight-Hennessy Scholars, commonly known as KHS, is a university-wide graduate scholarship programme at Stanford University. It brings together graduate students from different disciplines, countries and professional backgrounds who demonstrate strong intellectual ability, leadership potential and commitment to contributing to society.

Each scholar must also apply to, be admitted to and enrol in an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree programme. This means the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application and the Stanford graduate programme application are separate processes with separate requirements and deadlines.

Successful scholars receive financial support for up to three years of graduate study. In addition to funding, scholars participate in leadership development experiences, workshops, projects and interdisciplinary activities through the Knight-Hennessy community.

KHS does not impose restrictions based on citizenship, age, university attended, field of study or career aspiration. Citizens and residents of all countries are encouraged to apply, which means Pakistani applicants are eligible provided they satisfy the programme’s other requirements and Stanford’s graduate admission requirements.

• Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply, including Pakistani citizens.
• Applicants must apply to, be admitted to and enrol in an eligible full-time Stanford graduate degree programme.
• For the 2027 cohort, applicants must normally have earned their first bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in January 2020 or later.
• Current undergraduate students may apply if they will complete their first degree by September 2027.
• Applicants who have served in the military receive a two-year extension and must normally have earned their first bachelor’s degree in January 2018 or later.
• Applicants who already hold a graduate degree may still apply provided their first bachelor’s degree falls within the required eligibility window.
• International applicants must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution and satisfy the admission requirements of their intended Stanford programme.
• There is no general KHS restriction based on age, field of study, previous university, citizenship or career aspiration.
• Certain Stanford programmes are not eligible, including the Honors Cooperative Program, Master of Liberal Arts, JSD, MLS and certain coterminal or additional-degree arrangements.

• Fellowship funding applied directly towards Stanford tuition and associated fees.
• Stipend for living and academic expenses, which may include room and board, books, academic supplies, local transportation and reasonable personal expenses.
• Travel stipend intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford.
• One-time relocation stipend for newly enrolling scholars to help with relocation and/or technology costs.
• Financial support for up to three years of eligible graduate study.
• Participation in multidisciplinary leadership development activities.
• Access to workshops, lectures, projects and experiences designed to strengthen leadership capabilities.
• Membership of an international and multidisciplinary community of Stanford graduate scholars.

For the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application, applicants should prepare:

• Completed online KHS application form.
• One-page résumé covering academic, professional, extracurricular and other relevant experiences.
• Academic transcript(s).
• Degree document where the transcript does not clearly show the degree awarded and conferral date.
• Official English translation for transcripts or degree documents issued in another language.
• Required standardised test scores where the chosen Stanford graduate programme requires them.
• English-language test scores where required by the chosen Stanford graduate programme.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Short-answer responses.
• KHS essay.
• Separate Stanford graduate programme application and programme-specific documents.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars evaluates applicants primarily according to three official criteria:

• Independence of thought: Intellectual curiosity, clear thinking, openness to new perspectives and ability to generate ideas and solve problems.
• Purposeful leadership: Initiative, ethical decision-making, resilience, ability to achieve meaningful results and capacity to inspire others.
• Civic mindset: Humility, empathy, integrity, service to others and commitment to contributing to the greater good.
• Evidence of these qualities across the written application.
• Strength of recommendation letters in demonstrating the three KHS criteria.
• Performance in the invitation-only video statement, where applicable.
• Performance during the Finalist Experience and interviews, where applicable.

• Study at one of the world’s leading research universities.
• Receive substantial financial support for eligible graduate study.
• Join a highly international and multidisciplinary scholar community.
• Develop leadership capabilities alongside your academic degree.
• Build relationships across Stanford’s seven graduate schools.
• Gain exposure to diverse academic, professional and cultural perspectives.
• Become part of a long-term global network of Knight-Hennessy Scholars.