To protect and preserve knowledge about the medicinal use of plants, thus preventing the disappearance of plants with therapeutic potential. Providing this research opportunity for botanists can, in turn, assist medical science in its ability to protect lives and develop medicines. Provides one annual grant award of $4500, intended to enable a student to pursue an avenue of research that might otherwise prove closed. Accordingly, the funds may be used to cover direct costs associated with travel, field studies, or laboratory research. Open to students currently enrolled in Ph.D. programs at recognized universities and Ph.D. graduates who have received their degrees in the last five years. Eligible candidates include U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled in PhD programs in U.S.-based institutions, in any field of specialty, or who have received a doctoral degree within the last five years. The fellowship is administered by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Fellowship recipients will be selected by a panel of botanists with expertise in economic botany or ethnobotany, subject to approval by the Garden Club of America Scholarship Committee. Requirements include: a brief application letter, an abstract of 200 words or less, a one- to two-page research proposal, set in 12 pt type (proposals should be detailed and will be treated as confidential; proposals longer than two pages will be considered ineligible), a one-page budget that explains how funds would be used, a current curriculum vitae, for graduate students, a letter from a major advisor certifying enrollment in a PhD program, copies of permits for field work or studies including animals, research clearances, and permission from governmental agencies for foreign research (if permits are being applied for but have not yet been obtained, please ensure that the proposal explains the situation).