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The 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars come from 31 countries and regions,
and will pursue 45 graduate degree programs at Stanford University.
Stanford, CaliforniaMay 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) today announced the 2026 cohort, comprising 87 new scholars. This is the ninth cohort of the program, representing 31 countries and regions, who will pursue 45 graduate degree programs across Stanford’s seven graduate schools. This year marks the first time scholars with citizenship from Croatia, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan have been admitted.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a fully funded, interdisciplinary leadership development program for graduate students at Stanford University. Scholars from around the world receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies in any of Stanford’s seven graduate schools, while participating in diverse experiential activities designed to cultivate them as visionary, responsible, and collaborative leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges facing the world.
John L. Hennessy, President Emeritus of Stanford University and the Shriram Family Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, said: “Each year, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community continues to grow, bringing together more disciplinary backgrounds, nationalities, and diverse perspectives, and enhancing our collective ability to tackle global challenges together.”
Through the King Global Leadership Program, Knight-Hennessy Scholars engage in a variety of activities, including seminars, lectures, projects, and practical opportunities, enriching their graduate studies. As scholars refine their leadership skills and clarify their development goals, they further cultivate a commitment to serving society and advancing the public good.
Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, said: “The value of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program lies in scholars stepping beyond the confines of their own fields to explore tools and methods for cross-disciplinary collaboration. It is truly inspiring to watch them grow from highly accomplished individuals into genuinely collaborative leaders.”
Among the 2026 cohort, 51% hold non-U.S. passports. This year’s number of international scholars is at an all-time high. Among U.S. scholars, 47% are from minority backgrounds, and 9% have served in the U.S. military. These scholars earned undergraduate degrees from 58 universities worldwide, including 23 international institutions, with 21 universities represented for the first time. Twenty-one percent of the scholars are the first in their families to graduate from college. Since its launch in 2018, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program has now admitted a total of 682 scholars with the addition of the ninth cohort.
The application for the 2027 Knight-Hennessy Scholars program will open on June 1, 2026, and close on October 6, 2026. Prospective scholars can attend online information sessions to learn about the program community, leadership development initiatives, and the application process. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program imposes no quotas or application restrictions based on geography, institution, field of study, or career aspirations.