The program began in 1966 as the
Professional Journalism Fellowships Program at Stanford University.
Julius Duscha was associated director from 1966 to 1968. In 1984 it was named after the American newspaper publisher and editor
John S. Knight, following a large donation from the Knight Foundation to permanently endow the fellowships. Beginning with the 2009–10 fellowship year, the program placed a new emphasis on journalistic
innovation,
entrepreneurship and
leadership. In 2014, it received a further $1.8 million grant from the Knight Foundation to fund a technology resource curriculum and programs to support its alumni in initiatives which they formulated during their fellowships. == Notable alumni ==