Research at Western
Western Washington University's research, creative and scholarly programs are ranked #7 among all Master's granting institutions in the United States and #3 in WA State in terms of total R&D spending(1), with hundreds of faculty, students, staff and community partners participating in a wide range of innovative activities. Western is home to a vibrant and creative community of researchers, creators and scholars, affording exceptional opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to learn by doing, working side-by-side with accomplished experts. Our nationally-recognized scientists and engineers, artists and performers, novelists and composers are engaged in high-impact work seeking to better understand, explain, and improve our community and the lives of people. Western's research portfolio includes partnerships with a wide range of federal, state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit and educational institutions, and businesses throughout Washington State.
(1) 2018 NSF HERD Survey.
Current Grants at Western
Research Centers
- Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC)
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program
- Border Policy Research Institute
- Center for Business and Economic Research
- Cyber Range Poulsbo
- Cyber Security and Privacy Initiative
- Institute for Energy Studies
- Institute of Environmental Toxicology
- Institute for Watershed Studies
- Resilience Institute
- Salish Sea Institute
- Shannon Point Marine Center
- Small Business Development Center
- University Instrument Center (Scientific Technical Services)
- Western Mars Lab: Planetary Science Research at WWU