Knight-Hennessy Scholars

In short

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a fully funded programme at Stanford University in California, United States. It supports students in any full-time Stanford graduate degree, including a Master's or PhD; Somali citizens and residents can apply.

What it covers

It covers tuition and fees, a living stipend and a travel stipend for up to three years. It also includes 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

Citizens and residents of all countries may apply. You must also apply to and be admitted to a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme.

• 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 have been earned in January 2020 or later.

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. 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

1. 1Read the official Knight-Hennessy page and check the eligibility rules.
2. 2Choose a full-time Stanford graduate degree programme and check its requirements.
3. 3Prepare your CV, transcripts, two recommendation letters and short essays.
4. 4Prepare the short video and any other documents listed on the official page.
5. 5Submit the Knight-Hennessy online application by 6 October 2026 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.
6. 6Submit your separate Stanford degree application by 1 December 2026 or its earlier deadline.
7. 7If you reach the finalist stage, attend an interview in early 2027.

Important notes

• The scholarship application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time, or 23:00 in Somalia.
• Admission to Stanford is a separate requirement, with a separate application deadline.
• The scholarship is highly competitive, and applicants must also gain Stanford admission.

Official source

ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.

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.