                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

           FORM OF NOTICE OF GRANT OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION


  Name of Employee:

  Name of Plan:            Amended and Restated Ashland Inc. Incentive Plan

  Number of Option Shares:

  Exercise Price Per Share:

  Date of Option Grant:

  Exercise Schedule:

  Expiration Date:

ASHLAND INC. ("Ashland") hereby confirms the grant of a non-qualified stock
option to purchase  shares of Ashland  Common Stock  including  restoration
options,  (the "Option") to the  above-named  Employee  ("Employee").  This
Option is granted under, and is subject to, all of the terms and conditions
of  the  Plan.  Copies  of  the  Plan  end  related  Prospectus,  including
information  with respect to  restoration  options,  are available for your
review on FirstHand, Ashland's intranet site. If you would prefer to have a
hard copy of  either  of these  documents  mailed  to you,  please  contact
Corporate Human Resources at (859) 357-2008.

Please  acknowledge  your  receipt of this  Notice by  signing,  dating and
returning  the  enclosed  copy of this Notice of Grant to Kristie  Ptasnik,
Corporate Human Resources, LA-1N, on or before ____________________, or the
Option will become null and void.


  ASHLAND INC.



By:_________________________________


DATE:                                                 EMPLOYEE:


_____________________________________                 ________________________

