The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (the Consortium) is a nonprofit educational association of 24 colleges and universities, and the National Geographic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and was established to drive collaboration in higher education across the National Capital Region. For more than half a century, it has evolved into a powerful, unifying voice for its member institutionsâÂÂlocally, regionally, and nationallyâÂÂand a catalyst for expanding opportunity and promoting broad-based economic and workforce development.
Today, the Consortium leads a wide-ranging portfolio of programs and initiatives, advancing public-private partnerships and leveraging the reputation, expertise, and unique strengths of its member institutionsâÂÂeach contributing to the vibrancy of what is arguably the worldâÂÂs greatest college town.
Founded in 1964, the consortium facilitates the processing of course cross-registration between all member universities and universalizes library access among some of its member universities. It also provides joint procurement programs, joint academic initiatives and campus public safety training.
Nine of the Consortium members have formed the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC). WRLC provides joint library services, student and faculty borrowing at the participating libraries, and other shared systems. Additionally, WRLC enables cooperative collection development and off-site storage services.
The Consortium Research Fellows Program is a partnership between the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and several Department of Defense agencies which allows professors and students to work in DoD settings.