Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Stanford University (USA)
- Where you study
- United States · Stanford University, California
- Study level
- Master's
- PhD
You also apply separately to your Stanford degree programme by 1 December 2026, or by the programme's own earlier deadline.
Why: The official website says the programme is open to citizens and residents of all countries; the real hurdle is admission to Stanford.
Citizens and residents of all countries. You must also apply to, and be admitted to, a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme (master's, PhD, MBA, JD, MD and others).
In short
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a fully funded scholarship from Stanford University in the United States for graduate study, including Master's and PhD degrees. Somali citizens and residents can apply, but they must also be admitted to a full-time Stanford graduate programme.
How competitive
Highly competitive
Around 90 scholars a year chosen from thousands of applicants, on top of Stanford admission.
English requirement
The university decides
Fields of study
Any full-time Stanford graduate degree
What it covers
It provides funding for up to three years, including tuition and fees, a living stipend and a travel stipend. It also offers leadership development with the scholar community.
- Tuition feesIncluded
- Living allowanceIncluded
- TravelIncluded
- Health insuranceNot stated
- Visa costsNot stated
- AccommodationNot stated
- FamilyNot stated
Funding for up to three years of graduate study: tuition and fees, a living stipend and a travel stipend, plus leadership development with the scholar community.
Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.
Who can apply
It is open to citizens and residents of all countries who apply to and are admitted to a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme. You need a bachelor's degree earned in January 2020 or later.
- Citizens and residents of all countries may apply.
- Apply to and gain admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme.
- Your bachelor's degree must be earned in January 2020 or later.
- The scholarship deadline is 2026-10-06 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.
- Apply separately to the Stanford degree programme by 1 December 2026, or its earlier deadline.
- Academic requirement
- A bachelor's degree earned in January 2020 or later (within about seven years of starting at Stanford).
- Selection
- Application review, then interviews for finalists in early 2027.
English requirement
The university decides
Knight-Hennessy does not set an English test requirement. Each Stanford graduate programme sets its own requirement; Stanford generally asks for TOEFL.
Knight-Hennessy sets no test; each Stanford graduate programme sets its own English requirement (Stanford generally asks for TOEFL).
Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.
Documents you will need
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- Recommendation (reference) letters
- Motivation letter / personal statement
- Other documents (see the official page)
Online application with short essays, a short video, a CV, transcripts and two recommendation letters, plus your separate Stanford programme application.
How to apply
- 1Read the official page and check the scholarship and Stanford programme requirements.
- 2Choose a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme and check its deadline.
- 3Prepare your CV, transcripts, two recommendation letters and application essays.
- 4Complete the online Knight-Hennessy application, including its short video.
- 5Submit the scholarship application by 2026-10-06 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.
- 6Submit a separate application to your Stanford degree programme by its deadline.
- 7If selected as a finalist, attend an interview in early 2027.
Prepare well
- Start preparing early because the scholarship and Stanford degree programme have separate applications and deadlines.
- Ask your recommenders early so they have time to write and submit their letters.
- Use your essays and short video to show how you meet the selection criteria.
- Check the English requirement with your chosen Stanford programme; it sets its own rule.
Important notes
- You must apply separately to a Stanford graduate programme; scholarship selection is in addition to Stanford admission.
- The scholarship deadline is 2026-10-06 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time, which is 23:00 in Somalia.
- The scholarship is highly competitive, with around 90 scholars chosen each year from thousands of applicants.
Official source
ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.
Official page last checked 27 September 2026
The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.