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College of Natural Resources
Forestry and Environmental Resources

Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship and Faculty Exchange Fund

The Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship and Faculty Exchange Fund in Forestry was established by the late Gunnar Nicholson to enhance scholarly exchange among Swedish and NC State University students, faculty and scientists. Nicholson Fellows are prepared for international careers through work on cutting-edge issues ranging from conservation of genetic diversity in the tropics to tree improvement and silviculture of temperate and northern species.

View the Gunnar and Lilian Nichsolson Endowment Funding Quick Facts Sheet

For questions and more information about how to apply, please email JJ Acosta (fer_international@ncsu.edu).

Application Timeline

For priority consideration for summer or fall semester travel, apply by February 15 (5 p.m. EST). For priority consideration for spring semester travel, apply by August 25 (5 p.m. EST). Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered only if funding is still available.

Gunnar and Lilian Nicholson Student Fellowships

Long term exchange: Swedish Ph.D. students

Nicholson Graduate Fellowships are awarded to Swedish graduate foresters studying forest genetics and forest management at NC State. Successful applicants receive funding for a period of up to five years to earn a Ph.D. degree.

This award includes an $27,600 annual stipend plus all tuition, student fees, and health insurance. Students are also granted one round-trip airfare per year for travel to Sweden for purposes of promoting the Nicholson exchange program. Students may also apply for up to $15,000 to cover research costs during the exchange period.

To apply, students need to submit a) a letter of interest to the International Committee (fer_international@ncsu.edu) and b) an application to the graduate school. See the quick facts sheet for more information including English proficiency requirements.

Short term exchange: Ph.D. and Master’s students

Starting in 2013, the program created a short-term exchange of graduate students between FER and forestry programs at Swedish universities such as SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), as well as study abroad by NC State undergraduates in Sweden and SLU undergraduates at NC State. Short-term exchanges are defined as lasting 10 weeks to 6 months. Students may take courses, pursue research or some combination of the two.

To apply, graduate students must be pursuing a forestry degree in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State or at a Swedish university.

A Nicholson Award for Short-term Student Exchange includes a) round-trip airfare between Sweden and Raleigh, b) travel-related expenses (e.g. visa applications, international health insurance), and c) $2,000 per month stipend while at the partner university. Students may apply for up to $5,000 to cover research costs during the exchange period.

All students who receive Nicholson Awards for Short-term Exchange are expected to submit reports on their experiences, suitable for posting on the Nicholson webpage, within one month of completing their exchange.

The priority deadline for applications is January 25 for Summer or Fall semester exchanges and August 25 for spring semester exchanges. Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered only if funding is still available. Applications should be submitted by email to the International Committee (fer_international@ncsu.edu).

Nicholson Faculty Travel Funds

The Nicholson Fund also provides travel funds for Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources faculty to visit Sweden and Swedish faculty and scientists to visit our department to pursue scientific collaboration on any topic and in any discipline related to forest resources.

As described in the RFP, faculty should apply for these funds by submitting a brief proposal that describes the intended use of the funds, approximate dates, budget, and how the proposal furthers collaboration between NC State and SLU (or other Swedish universities and research institutions). Every fall, there is a deadline for priority consideration of funding proposals for the coming year. However, requests for funding are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis, contingent upon availability of funds. Proposals should be sent to the International Committee (fer_international@ncsu.edu).

While Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources faculty members are in Sweden, they are encouraged to promote exchange with our department. This might include (1) learning about undergraduate curricula in order to better advise students interested in study abroad at SLU, (2) meeting with potential candidates for the Nicholson Fellowships, or (3) discussions with faculty about opportunities for developing dual degree and other joint programs. The outcome of these discussions should be included in a brief trip report.

Student Activities funded by Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship and Faculty Exchange Fund

The Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship and Faculty Exchange Fund has shaped the lives of many researchers. Click on the reports below to read about the impacts that this fund has made:

2024

  • Ben Rose traveled to Umeå, Sweden this summer for a short-term research exchange with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Working in a nearly 140-year-old Scots pine forest near the town Vindeln, Ben studied the role of soil fungi in Scots pine regeneration. Using below-ground trenching tools to isolate roots of young seedlings from those of mature trees, Ben employed metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing techniques on samples to evaluate the composition and function of fungal communities in both immature and mature trees. This research contributes to efforts to sustainably grow and harvest European boreal forests. Ben also was able to attend and present his research at the International Union of Forestry Research Organization’s World Congress in Stockholm and the International Conference on Mycorrhizas in Manchester, UK.
  • Thule Grubbström and Isak Haglund traveled from SLU in Sweden to attend forestry classes at NCSU for the spring semester. They both highly enjoyed their time travelling not only throughout North Carolina but other parts of the country, as well. Attending courses at another program in a different country was a rewarding experience for both.