The Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneurs Fellowship (REEF) program was established in Fall of 2014 and is supported by the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation. REEF is offered to graduate students, post-docs and FRAs across University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET). Participants are accepted into the program based on an application process. The program helps build skills that are often overlooked in the science field. The course introduces the basics of intellectual property, budgeting, market research, strategic communication, and presenting ideas to potential funders. REEF is an introduction and application of business and innovation concepts that are needed to advance science, function as a leader, and hone integrated decision-making skills.