For exceptional students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, the Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships offer completely financed graduate study at Harvard University, one of the most prominent universities in the world. A large portion of the cost of pursuing graduate or professional school in the US is eliminated by the fellowship.
Since the first awards were given out in 1948, the program—which was founded in 1945 in honor of Frank Knox, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy during World War II—has supported over 830 Fellows from the four Commonwealth nations who qualify.
Frank Knox Fellows join a small, tightly knit worldwide cohort since candidates are chosen by national selection committees in each eligible country. Additionally, they have access to a lifetime network of Harvard alumni in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Any discipline provided by Harvard, including Arts and Sciences, Business, Law, Medicine, Public Health, Education, Design, Divinity, Government, and Engineering, is open to Frank Knox Fellows for graduate or professional study. Typically, the fellowship provides funding for one academic year of study; however, some fellowships may be renewed for an additional year.
Scholarship Details
- Host Institution: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Funding Level: Fully Funded
- Eligible Countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom only
- Degree Level: Graduate and professional programs
- Study Level: Master’s, Doctoral, and eligible professional programs
- Duration: One academic year, with some fellowships renewable
- Deadline: Varies by home country
Degree Level
The Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships support graduate and professional-level study at Harvard University. Applicants must already hold, or be completing, an undergraduate degree and must be applying to or admitted to an eligible Harvard graduate or professional program.
Eligible study options may include:
- Master’s Degree Programs – including programs at Harvard Kennedy School and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
- Doctoral (PhD) Programs – across Harvard’s graduate faculties.
- Professional Degree Programs – including Law (JD/LLM), Business (MBA), Medicine, Public Health, Education, and Design.
Available Subjects
The Frank Knox Fellowship is open to all academic fields and disciplines offered through Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. There is no specific restriction on the subject or field of study.
Fellows may pursue programs in areas such as:
- Law and Legal Studies
- Public Policy and Government
- Business Administration
- Medicine and Public Health
- Education
- Design
- Engineering
- Arts and Sciences
- Other graduate and professional disciplines offered by Harvard University
Eligibility Criteria – Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships
To be eligible for a Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship, applicants generally must meet the following requirements:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.
- Educational Requirement: Possess an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree from an accredited university, or be on the verge of finishing one.
- Harvard Admission: Be applying to or have been accepted into a Harvard University graduate or professional degree program for the applicable academic year.
- Academic Excellence: Demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong intellectual ability.
- Leadership Potential: Demonstrate a strong sense of character, leadership abilities, and the potential to have a positive influence.
- Other Scholarships: Applicants should not currently hold another significant scholarship that duplicates the financial support provided by the Frank Knox Fellowship. Candidates should confirm this criterion with their national selection committee.
Important Eligibility Note
Each country may have different conditions for eligibility. Additional eligibility requirements, application procedures, or age restrictions may apply to each national committee. Applicants should always review the exact requirements provided by the Frank Knox committee in their respective country.
Benefits – Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships
Frank Knox Fellows receive a fully funded scholarship package designed to cover the major costs of graduate or professional study at Harvard University, including:
- Full Tuition: Payment of necessary tuition and required fees for the qualified Harvard graduate or professional program.
- Living Stipend: Funding to assist with living costs in the Boston/Cambridge region.
- Health Insurance: Health insurance coverage provided through the fellowship.
- Frank Knox Community: Membership in the dedicated Frank Knox Fellows community.
- Alumni Network: Access to important alumni networks and professional connections in the Fellow’s home country and throughout the wider Frank Knox community.
Important: The relevant national Frank Knox committee determines the precise stipend amounts and coverage details, which may vary annually. Candidates should verify the most recent funding information with the committee in their country when applying.
Required Documents
Applicants should generally prepare the following documents for the Frank Knox Fellowship and Harvard graduate or professional program application:
- Completed Frank Knox Fellowship application
- Completed Harvard graduate or professional program application
- Undergraduate degree certificate or proof of expected graduation
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of citizenship or nationality
- Evidence of academic achievements, awards, or leadership experience, where applicable
- Harvard admission letter, if already admitted
- Additional documents required by the relevant national Frank Knox selection committee
Note: Required documents and application materials can vary by country and Harvard program. Applicants should check the official requirements for their national committee and selected Harvard school.
Application Process – Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships
Step 1: Check Your Country Eligibility
Confirm that you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom and review the requirements of your national Frank Knox committee.
Step 2: Select a Harvard Graduate Program
Choose an eligible graduate or professional program at Harvard University that matches your academic and career goals.
Step 3: Apply to Harvard University
Complete the admission application for your selected Harvard graduate or professional program according to the program’s application requirements and deadline.
Step 4: Prepare Frank Knox Documents
Gather your academic records, CV/résumé, personal statements, recommendation letters, proof of citizenship, and other documents required by your national committee.
Step 5: Submit the Fellowship Application
Apply through the Frank Knox selection process for your home country. National committees may have their own application forms, deadlines, and selection procedures.
Step 6: National Selection
Applications are reviewed by the relevant national selection committee. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for further assessment or interviews, depending on the country.
Step 7: Final Selection and Harvard Study
Successful candidates receive the fellowship and can begin their eligible graduate or professional studies at Harvard University according to the relevant academic-year schedule.
Application Deadline
Deadline: Varies by home country.
Applicants should check the application deadline announced by the Frank Knox national selection committee in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship?
The Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship is a fully funded opportunity for outstanding students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to pursue graduate or professional study at Harvard University.
Is the Frank Knox Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The fellowship provides funding toward major study costs, including tuition and required fees, living expenses, and health insurance, subject to the applicable fellowship terms.
Who is eligible for the Frank Knox Fellowship?
Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom who meet the academic, leadership, and Harvard admission requirements may be eligible.
What degree programs are covered?
The fellowship supports graduate and professional-level study, including Master’s, PhD, and eligible professional programs at Harvard.
Can I study any subject at Harvard?
Yes. The fellowship is generally open to all academic fields and disciplines offered through Harvard’s graduate and professional schools.
Do I need a Bachelor’s degree?
Applicants must hold, or be completing, an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Do I need to be admitted to Harvard before applying?
Applicants must be applying to, or have been admitted to, an eligible Harvard graduate or professional program. The exact sequence and requirements may vary by national committee.
How long does the Frank Knox Fellowship last?
The fellowship generally supports one academic year, although some fellowships may be renewable for a second year.
How much is the Frank Knox living stipend?
The exact stipend amount varies and is confirmed by the relevant national Frank Knox committee. Applicants should check the latest funding information for their country.
What countries are eligible?
The four eligible countries are:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
When is the application deadline?
There is no single deadline for all applicants. The deadline varies according to the applicant’s home country and national Frank Knox selection committee.
