The Center for Washington Area Studies (CWAS) is part of GWIPP and undertakes and promotes policy research directly relevant to the District of Columbia and the Washington metropolitan area.

Current and recent research carried out at CWAS include:

• an analysis of the factors that affect the economic competitiveness of the District of Columbia
• a comparison of bicycling policies in three area counties
• an analysis of the commercial property market in the District
• a study of the policy impact of the District’s lack of representation in Congress
• two studies comparing Washington, D.C. to other nations' capitals
• an examination of the infrastructure needs of the District of Columbia.

Aside from the research carried out at CWAS, the center also supports efforts by GW faculty to seek external funding for research that is on the Washington region or inclusive of the Washington region in general research.  For example, CWAS participates in the Shapiro Policy Research Scholar Program by funding a scholar doing Washington-relevant research.