The University of Washington (UW) is a leading public research university located in Seattle, Washington, USA. Founded in 1861, it is one of the oldest universities on the U.S. West Coast and is recognized globally for excellence in medicine, engineering, computer science, public health, business, and environmental sciences. UW is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is known for its innovation, interdisciplinary research, and strong partnerships with industry and government organizations.