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The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) application to join the 2025 cohort is now closed.

The KHS application to join the 2026 cohort will open in summer 2025.


All Knight-Hennessy scholars apply and are selected for admission. Gaining admission is the beginning of a new journey to greater leadership as a Knight-Hennessy scholar; it is also the culmination of the effort you dedicate to your application.

Applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) is not simply checking off a list of requirements. There is no formula for admission, and there are no scores, achievements, or stories that automatically qualify you for admission. Instead, the KHS application is an invitation to show how you demonstrate the qualities we seek in ways that are unique and distinct to you.

We believe applying can be a rewarding exercise in reflection about your experiences and your aspirations. We designed the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application with two goals: to help you better know yourself — what you have done, who you are now, and what you aspire to do in the future — and also to help us know you better. 

We also acknowledge that applying can take thought and effort. We want to aid you in your planning and preparation, and we have organized our resources to help you through each stage of the application journey. We hope you find inspiration as you learn about our community, clarity as you explore our admission process, and reflection as you complete your application.

Finally, we appreciate those of you visiting this site not to prepare your own application, but to support those who will, or generally to learn more about our process. We invite you to visit our page For Our Partners to find additional resources prepared for you.

We look forward to getting to know you better.

Before You Apply

Learn more about why to apply to KHS, our eligibility requirements, our admission criteria, and important dates and deadlines.

See Before You Apply

Preparing Your Applications

Learn more about each required component of the KHS application, and the similarities and differences between your KHS application and your separate Stanford graduate degree program application.

See Preparing Your Applications

Scholars assembling boxes in field
Quad at Stanford

After You Apply

Learn more about the concurrent but separate review of your KHS and Stanford graduate degree program applications, and the invitation-only components of the KHS application.

See After You Apply

For Our Partners

Explore resources for Stanford department colleagues, fellowship advisors, recommenders, and media contacts, and community members.

See For Our Partners

Scholars in study area at Denning House