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Jerrold Meinwald, the Goldwin Smith Professor of Chemistry Emeritus and a 2014 winner of the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for achievement in science and engineering, died April 23 in Ithaca. He was 91. [Full Article]

Much of the current bench research conducted in natural products science is carried out by graduate students, who receive very modest stipends and tuition waivers as compensation. It is of great concern therefore that the current proposed new tax code reform being discussed will change this and increase graduate student tax liability to include these tuition waivers as direct income. It has been estimated that students will have their tax burden increase manifold, a significant financial burden on a group who already have to deal with limited resources. This reform will also eliminate tax deductions for interest paid on student loans and remove the Lifetime Learning Credit, adding additional strains on students.

We, and many others, strongly believe that, if passed, this change will discourage high-achieving individuals from entering further education. This will especially affect those students from deprived backgrounds and thus may have a negative impact on their social mobility.

As importantly, without the interest of highly qualified students in entering the scientific research world, the science and technological status of the United States will be severely hampered and will result in us being much less competitive with countries that have a more progressive approach.

Members of the ASP are encouraged to contact their political representatives to express their concern about the proposed changes.

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Dr. Charles D. Hufford, Associate Dean Emeritus for Research and Graduate Programs and Professor Emeritus of Pharmacognosy at the University of Mississippi, passed away suddenly on May 15. Charlie was a pillar of the School of Pharmacy, a mentor to many and a friend to all. Charlie served in many leadership positions of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, including President. He contributed immensely to the disciplines of pharmacy and pharmacognosy, and he will be greatly missed. Please hold Charlie’s wife, Alice Clark, and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Read the full Obituary

This year the program will award approximately 36 dissertation fellowships, 24 postdoctoral fellowships, and 60 predoctoral fellowships. Fellowships are tenable at any fully-accredited, non-proprietary (not for profit) U.S. institution of higher education. An applicant need not be accepted by the chosen institution at the time of application. The application deadline is Monday, November 10, 2016. Additional details are available at
Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships
Ford Foundation Post Doctoral Fellowships
Ford Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellowships