Knight-Hennessy funds graduate level study at Stanford University and provides recipients with a community of scholars. Applicants should exhibit independent thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset. Scholars participate in the King Global Leadership Program (KGLP), which includes workshops, lectures, projects, and experiences that strengthen transformational leadership capabilities.
hosted by Stanford University admission officers! These sessions are available both in-person and online from April through October 2026.
Deadline: August (Internal); October (External)
Value: Up to three years of funding to pursue graduate study at Stanford University
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and recent (within 5 years) alumni. Must be accepted to Stanford University for graduate study.
Major: Open
Fellowship Type: Graduate
Nomination: Yes; Please contact the Office of National Fellowships.
Website:
Knight-Hennessy Application Deadlines
- Internal Deadline: August 21, 2026, 5pm EST
National Deadline: October 6, 2026, 1pm PST
Note: You must also apply for the Standford degree program. Be sure to check your chosen program for Standford's deadlines.
Knight-Hennessy Recommended Steps and Timeline
- By May 15: Sign up for and . Select the program at Stanford that you are applying to.
- By June 1: Complete the . We will schedule a meeting to discuss your intent to apply.
- By June 19: Begin your online Knight Hennessy application; send a draft of your resume to Fellowships Office.
- By July 10: (1) If your masters/PhD program is research-based, reach out to potential PIs. (2) First draft of short answer questions and essays to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu).
- By July 17: Send names and email addresses of your recommenders to the office (be sure you have asked your recommenders if they are willing to write for you!). They will be asked to submit their letters to us by the internal deadline.
- By July 24: Second draft of short answer questions and essay to Fellowships Office
- By August 7: Complete
- By August 14: Third draft of short answer questions and essays to Fellowships Office
- August 21, 2026, 5pm EST: INTERNAL DEADLINE – for institutional endorsement
- Early September: Interview with director for endorsement letter
- September 20: Fourth draft of short answer questions and essays to Fellowships Office
- October 6, 2026, 1pm PST: NATIONAL DEADLINE
- Remember you must apply for the Stanford degree program, too!
