Knight-Hennessy Scholars: Stanford's Full-Ride Graduate Fellowship
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford fully funds 100 graduate students per year across every Stanford school — MBA, MD, JD, MA, PhD. Eligibility, funding, deadlines for African applicants.
By Scholarships for Africans EditorialUSA
At a glance
- Sponsor
- Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
- Level
- Any full-time Stanford graduate degree (MBA, MA, MS, MD, JD, PhD)
- Funding
- Full tuition + stipend + travel + relocation — up to 3 years
- Deadline
- October 9 (Stanford KHS) + your Stanford program deadline
Who is eligible
- Bachelor's earned in 2018 or later (younger than 7 years out — there are limited exceptions).
- Apply or be admitted to any full-time Stanford graduate program.
- Open to all nationalities — African applicants are well represented among Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
- Strong leadership, independence of thought and demonstrated civic mindset.
What the award covers
- Full tuition + required fees at your Stanford graduate program
- Living stipend covering room, board, books and incidentals
- Travel stipend (one trip home per year)
- Relocation grant and academic enrichment fund
- King Global Leadership Program — KHS's residential leadership curriculum
How to apply
- Apply to Knight-Hennessy by October 9 — separate from your Stanford program application.
- Apply to your chosen Stanford graduate program by its own deadline (usually December–January).
- KHS application includes 2 essays, 2 recommenders, a video introduction, and online assessments.
- Finalists are invited for interviews in January–February; awards announced March–April.
Frequently asked questions
Can African students apply for Knight-Hennessy?
Yes. Knight-Hennessy is open to applicants of all nationalities, and African scholars from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda have been selected since the program launched in 2018.
Do I need a Stanford admission first?
No. You apply to Knight-Hennessy and to your Stanford program in parallel. You only take up the scholarship if both admit you.
How many scholars are selected?
Up to 100 scholars are selected each year from a global pool of 7,000+ applicants.
Does KHS fund the MBA?
Yes. Knight-Hennessy is the only path to a fully funded Stanford GSB MBA — KHS covers all GSB tuition plus stipend.