The University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment provides exemplary instruction with the goal of preparing students for meaningful careers in education, research, business and government.
For more information about applying to one of our graduate programs in CEOE, please contact our Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at CEOE-academics@udel.edu or learn more about the application process.
Degrees and Programs
REEF@UD: The Ratcliffe Eco-Entrepreneurship Fellows Program
An industrial transformation is underway, where virtually everything we do needs to be reinvented so we can operate sustainably, protect the environment, and manage climate change. It is an exciting time for innovators who seek to create businesses, commercialize discoveries, and develop new products that will address these challenges.
REEF@UD provides entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and funding support for innovators with ideas, inventions, or passion to make a positive impact.
Who can become a REEF@UD Fellow?
REEF@UD is open to all UD upper-level undergrads, grads, and post-docs keen to use their ingenuity to solve environmental challenges. Qualified members of the community may also apply to be considered. Undergrads will be required to enroll in the practicum course during spring semester (ENTR / GEOG / GEOL / MAST 489).
Impact
REEF@UD is designed to enhance current experiential learning opportunities for eco-minded students, innovators, and entrepreneurs to:
- Unlock the commercialization potential of scientific discoveries and new technologies resulting from CEOE and other UD research.
- Pursue innovation and entrepreneurship aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
- Make a positive impact on the environment now and throughout their careers.
- Prepare for eco-entrepreneurial roles in startups, established companies, enterprises, and other organizations.
The program’s four-month training program emphasizes best practices and offers team-specific guidance to participants as they work to develop and refine their ideas. The program culminates with a pitch event where a panel of industry experts will evaluate and recognize the top ideas.
Participants will connect with a diverse set of mentors throughout and beyond the program, with expertise in entrepreneurship, business leadership, innovation, venture funding, government, environment, and more.
Up to three Fellows will be awarded 12-month $50k fellowships, including stipend, tuition scholarship, and prototyping funds to take their idea to the next level.
REEF@UD operates as a joint project of the College of Earth, Ocean & Environment and Horn Entrepreneurship, advancing CEOE’s commitment to connecting cutting-edge science with society and Horn Entrepreneurship’s mission to empower world changers.
For more information or to apply for REEF@UD, please contact Program Director Meg Pillsbury at megp@udel.edu.
REEF@UD is generously funded by the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation and operates as a joint project of the College of Earth, Ocean & Environment (CEOE), and Horn Entrepreneurship, advancing CEOE’s commitment to connecting cutting-edge science with society and Horn Entrepreneurship’s mission to empower world changers.
GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Abdul Qadir
“I am utilizing a combination of different satellite sensors for agriculture sustainability, and doing my research on improving monsoon crop mapping and studying the impact of weather variability on small, family-owned farms in India. For this, I incorporate satellite imagery with meteorological/geographic records, machine learning algorithms, and field surveys. I use satellite imagery to help farmers with anything from sowing the seeds, to raising crops, to harvesting them.”