UW’s research discoveries profoundly impact how scientists, the lay public, industry and government understand and interact with the world around them. These impacts are evidenced in the academic honors UW faculty receive, policy changes informed by UW research, new companies launched and jobs created, improved health outcomes in our region and globally, and more. The opportunity for UW students to contribute to cutting edge research also positions them to meet the evolving challenges facing the next generation workforce.
Spotlight on impact: The first vaccine against SARS virus family starts human trials
The vaccine, pioneered by UW researchers Neil King and David Veesler, is intended to protect against COVID-19 and related coronaviruses, and is being brought to trial by South Korean pharmaceutical company SK bioscience.
The economic impact of UW research is significant
The UW is one of the few universities in the U.S. with total annual research funding over $1 billion — currently $1.77 billion in sponsored grants and contracts.
$2.6 billion generated in the Washington economy from UW research
10,641 jobs supported and sustained statewide by UW research
UW research generates $93.5 million in Washington state and local tax revenue
Global research partnerships
Our partnerships with higher education institutions span the globe, visualized in this infographic showing incoming partnerships in blue and outgoing partnerships in tan.
Spotlight on community impact: UW researchers launch app to map micro pantries in Seattle
Allen School researchers and collaborators in the Urban Freight Lab UW researchers launch ‘little free pantry’ app which maps neighborhood micro pantries and community fridges in Seattle and provides user-supplied info for each.
Rankings
No. 1 most innovative public university in the world
Ranked by Reuters Top 100 in 2019
No. 2 best public university in the world
Ranked by US News & World Reports, Best Global Universities, in 2024
No. 7 best US university for tech transfer
Ranked by Milken Institute’s Concept to Commercialization in 2017
