Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is an international graduate-level scholarship program for students to study at Stanford University.

The program is considered one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the world. In 2024, 90 scholars were selected from a pool of 8,272 applicants for a selection rate of 1.09%.

Established in 2016 by Phil Knight and John Hennessy, Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the largest fully endowed graduate fellowship in the world, with an endowment of about $750 million. The program prepares students to take leadership roles in finding creative solutions to complex global issues. Scholars receive full funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford and have additional opportunities for leadership training, mentorship, and experiential learning across multiple disciplines.

Program
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program has a focus on attracting prospective graduate students with a wide range of backgrounds from around the world. In addition to their graduate studies, scholars participate in leadership development programs, study trips, and have opportunities for mentorship with thought leaders in business, government, and nonprofit fields.

Selection and Benefits
Potential applicants are required to apply to the Knight-Hennessy scholars program and, separately, to a Stanford University graduate degree program. Of potential applicants, the scholarship program values leadership, independence of thought, and civic commitment.

Following the application deadline, approximately 500 applicants are selected to submit a video recording on a topic provided by the program. A group of finalists are then invited to participate in a virtual interview as well as the Immersion Weekend. For Immersion Weekend, Knight-Hennessy Scholars selects up to 180 finalists to visit Stanford University, at the program’s expense, where finalists participate in both evaluated and non-evaluated group activities. Knight-Hennessy Scholars covers travel expenses, including lodging at Stanford, airfare, and meals on-campus. Following Immersion Weekend, up to 100 scholars are then selected.

Since 2018, the program has offered annual financial support comprising full tuition and fees, room and board, related academic expenses, and a stipend for living expenses.

Denning House
Denning House was built on the shore of Lake Lagunita on Stanford’s campus. The building serves as the center for the Knight-Hennessy scholars community. Scholars gather at Denning House for presentations, workshops, and social events. The New York architectural firm Ennead designed the two-story building, which has classrooms, a dining area, meeting and lecture rooms, as well as office space for a fellow-in-residence and for the program's administrative staff. The building was a gift from Steven A. Denning and his wife, Roberta Bowman Denning.