About Knox Fellowships

History of the Fellowship

Throughout his rich and varied career – as newspaper publisher, soldier, vice-presidential candidate and Secretary of the Navy during World War II – Frank Knox championed the concept of democracy as a government of the people. He believed that the United States had been "favored as no other land on earth," and consequently bore tremendous responsibilities both at home and abroad.

In establishing the Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship program, Annie Reid Knox understood Frank Knox’s belief that America’s roots “lie embedded in British soil,” and she sought to honor her late husband and his lifelong commitment to America. Her gift to Harvard has provided for an educational exchange between scholars from America and the countries that constituted the British Commonwealth. 

Over 850 scholars from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have studied at Harvard as Frank Knox Fellows since the first fellowship was awarded in 1948. In addition, more than 400 Knox Fellowship recipients from Harvard have studied or conducted research in those countries. 

According to the wishes of Mrs. Knox, Frank Knox Memorial Fellows are selected on the basis of outstanding academic excellence, strength of character, and potential for leadership in their fields.

Fellowship Details

The Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship program provides funding for students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to conduct graduate study at Harvard University. Knox Fellowships are typically awarded to 15 newly admitted students each year. Knox Fellowship funding is guaranteed for up to two years of study at Harvard for students in degree programs requiring more than one year of study. There can be as many as 30 Knox Fellows at Harvard in any given year. 

All Knox Fellowship applicants must also apply for admission to the Harvard graduate school of their choice. The awarding of a Knox Fellowship is, therefore, contingent upon the applicant gaining admission to Harvard.

The Knox Fellowship Program is administered by the Committee on General Scholarships at Harvard University.

What is Included?

A Knox Fellowship pays full Harvard tuition and mandatory health insurance fees and provides a stipend sufficient to cover the living expenses of a single Fellow for a 10-month academic year. Knox Fellowship funding is guaranteed for up to two years of study at Harvard for students in degree programs requiring more than one year of study. The Committee on General Knox Fellows who plan to bring spouses, partners or other family members with them to Harvard must secure additional sources of funding to support their families. 

Scholarships will consider Knox Fellowship renewals after the second year on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that as a condition of acceptance of a Knox Fellowship, a recipient is required to notify the Committee on General Scholarships about any other scholarships, fellowships or income that they expect to receive during the year in which the Knox Fellowship is granted. The Committee on General Scholarships reserves the right to reduce the amount of a Knox Fellowship in cases where the recipient will receive scholarships, fellowships or income from other sources.