University of Richmond Announces Nine Fulbright Semi-Finalists for 2025-2026
The University of Richmond is pleased to announce that nine students have been named Semi-Finalists, advancing to the final round of selection for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2025-2026 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Selection is made in two phases: first, applicants must past through the U.S.-based National Screening Committee. These Semi-Finalists are then forwarded to the individual country commissions for the final round of selection. Final selection decisions will be made on a rolling basis from March-May.
Over 8,500 students from 700+ institutions applied this year for one of over 2,200 grants to study, conduct research, and teach abroad for the 2025-2026 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.
The University of Richmond’s Fulbright Semi-Finalists include five current undergraduates, and four alumni. The group represents two of UR’s five academic schools. Semi-Finalists include the following students, listed below with their name, host country, and grant type:
- Maya Allione, Timor-Leste, English Teaching Assistant
- Alex Broening, Germany, English Teaching Assistant
- Esteban Cabascango, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant
- Cady Cummins, South Korea, English Teaching Assistant
- Kathryn Grage, Poland, English Teaching Assistant
- William Hoffmann, Germany, Study/Research Award - Political Science
- Emiko Iguchi, Switzerland, English Teaching Assistant
- Sarah Schalkoff, Bulgaria, English Teaching Assistant
"The Fulbright is a wonderful fit for Richmond students. We know our students are deeply interested in cultural exchange and are heavily engaged in their campus and communities; the Fulbright allows them to combine these interests after graduation, acting as ambassadors for the U.S. abroad,” said Dana Kuchem, Director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at the University of Richmond through the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. Interested students should plan to attend a virtual information session this spring and can register on our website.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 2,200 U.S. students, artists and early career professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English, and conduct research annually in over 160 countries throughout the world.
The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation by the United States Congress to the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support.
In the United States, the Institute of International Education administers and coordinates activities relevant to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.
For more information about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/.