Research & Development

The Washington, DC metro area is a national force in research and development, driving impactful innovation and developing cutting-edge research across the life sciences, engineering, and data science sectors. Companies and institutions in the Washington, DC and Baltimore mega region received more than $1.6 billion in funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2021.

DC Notable Rankings and Facts

Most educated city in the U.S.¹

City for Working Women for the 4th year in a row

U.S. region for Life Sciences Research Talent

Data Science & Analytics

Environmental, Scientific & Technical Consulting

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Engineering

Recent Investments

The nation’s first pediatric research & innovation campus opened in 2021. The campus is anchored by Children’s Center for Genetic Medicine Research and Rare Disease Institute, Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS, and Virginia Tech’s Biomedical Research Institute.

In 2022, ACP signed a lease for a 30,500 square foot “collaborative and convening hub” for the physical sciences community.

Whitman-Walker opened a 118,000 square foot health care & research facility at the historic St. Elizabeths East Campus in 2023. The center will include an NIH-funded HIV-focused biomedical research space.

The Historically Black College & University (HBCU) will build a National Research Center for Health Disparities that will provide a home to pharmaceutical companies and biomedical research organization specializing in chronic illnesses with an emphasis on solutions for communities of color.

Booz Allen’s Center for Innovation opened in 2022 in Downtown DC to focus on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, cyber, space, tech scouting, digital twin, and edge computing.

Torti Gallas + Partners relocated the company’s headquarters from Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC in 2021. The office is located in the historic U St corridor. This relocation has increased walkability for employees resulting in a reduction of the company’s carbon footprint.

The Atlantic made a notable investment in its new headquarters at Hoffman and Associates award winning neighborhood at the Wharf. The Atlantic is a 165-year old publication with a total circulation of more than 833,000, covering topics such as news, politics, culture, technology, and health through its flagship magazine, podcasts, and videos.

Politico: Founded in the Washington, DC metro area in 2007, the politics & policy- focused media company was acquired by Axel Springer for $1 billion in 2021.

Gensler: In 2023, the largest architecture firm in Washington, DC expanded their K Street office of 400+ employees by 11,000 square feet.

Axios Media: Founded in the Washington, DC metro area in 2016, the digital media news company was acquired by Cox Enterprises for $525 million in 2022.

Talent Pipeline

The Washington, DC metro area offers employees with specialized and highly credentialed talent in critical R&D fields, including in life sciences and biotech, advanced analytics, and project management.

Washington, DC is home to

4x

more Computer and Information Research Scientists than the U.S. average.

Location quotient

1.00 = US Average

Computer and Information Research Scientists

4.55

Data Scientists

1.75

Engineers

1.3

Life, Physical, and Social Science

2.24

Project Management Specialists

1.71

Company Spotlight

In 2021, Johnson & Johnson Innovation opened JLABS @ Washington, DC within Children National Hospital’s new Research & Innovation Campus to foster innovation in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other health technologies. The life science and healthcare incubator provides entrepreneurs and start-ups with access to laboratory and office space, mentorship, and investors.

Resources

Vitality Fund

A multi-year, performance-based incentive program designed to support companies in target industries actively planning to relocate, expand, or retain their physical location in Washington, DC, and to encourage the creation of new jobs.

Creative Open Space and Modernization (COSM)

An incentive program designed to support the growth of large companies that make a long-term commitment to locate in the District. Eligible companies can receive an annual tax rebate for up to five years to offset property taxes and tenant improvements.

DC Department of Employment Services

Offers recruitment and hiring support, and a variety of workforce development and training programs to help District employers including On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Programs.

DMPED and WDCEP

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is the District government agency that designs and implements strategies to encourage companies to choose, stay, and grow in DC. Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership that leads business attraction efforts for DC. DMPED and WDCEP collaborate to advance the Mayor’s economic development strategy, with the primary focus of creating and retaining jobs to further drive sustainable, economic inclusion for the District of Columbia.

Washington, DC Universities

1. Esri/U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey & Population Division (2021). Based on a comparison of the top 25 most populous metropolitan areas.

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