Knight Hennessy Scholarship

Knight-Hennessy Scholars, established in 2016, is a prestigious graduate-level scholarship program at Stanford University. Its mission is to equip students with the skills and mindset to tackle complex global challenges and assume leadership roles. Scholars receive full funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford and benefit from additional opportunities for leadership training, mentorship, and experiential learning across various disciplines.

Program Overview

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program aims to attract prospective graduate students from diverse backgrounds worldwide. In addition to their academic pursuits, scholars engage in leadership development programs, study trips, and mentorship opportunities with leaders in business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Selection Process and Benefits

Prospective applicants must apply to both the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and a Stanford University graduate degree program separately. Leadership qualities, independent thinking, and civic commitment are highly valued by the scholarship program.

After the application deadline, 500 applicants are chosen for video interviews. A subset of finalists undergo in-person interviews, from which 50-75 scholars are selected.

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

Denning House

Denning House, situated on the shore of Lake Lagunita on Stanford’s campus, serves as the hub for the Knight-Hennessy scholars community. It hosts presentations, workshops, and social events. Designed by the New York architectural firm Ennead, the two-story building features classrooms, a dining area, meeting and lecture rooms, as well as office space for a fellow-in-residence and administrative staff. Denning House was generously gifted by Steven A. Denning and his wife, Roberta Bowman Denning.