The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (CUWMA) is a nonprofit educational association of 20 colleges and universities in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Institute of Peace, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.^[1][2][3][4]

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 all eight participating libraries, and a shared digital library system (ALADIN). 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.

Member universities and affiliate members

Partners and parent organizations of member institutions

• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Army Research Laboratory
  • Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
  • Defense Manpower Data Center
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• United States Institute of Peace