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: Dr. Donald Chi
After 10 years of working with Yup’ik Indigenous communities in Alaska, Dr. Donald Chi, a professor in the Schools of Public Health and Dentistry, learned about the impact of oral health on public health, especially among rural and remote communities.
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 $1.87 billion in sponsored grants and contracts.
$2.6 billion generated in economic impact in the Washington economy
10,641 jobs supported and sustained statewide
$93.5 million generated in state and local tax revenue
Academic 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.
Honors and awards
For over 150 years the UW has been nationally and globally recognized for its research achievements. Our colleges and schools are consistently ranked among the top programs and specialties in the United States and the world, and we count seven Nobel Prize winners and hundreds of National Academy scholars among our faculty and researchers.
8 Nobel Prize winners
8 UW researchers, including 2024 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry David Baker, have received the world’s most prestigious award for outstanding contributions to chemistry, physics, physiology and medicine, literature, economics and peace.
204 National Academy members
204 UW researchers have been honored as members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
103 American Academy of Arts & Sciences members
103 UW researchers are honored as members of the American Academy of Arts and Science.
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