Prince George’s County is home to one of the nation’s preeminent research institutions and the flagship of the University System of Maryland-the University of Maryland, College Park. As the largest university in Maryland and in the Washington region, its proximity to the capital and research institutions, such as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), facilitates strong research partnerships with federal agencies, including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Homeland Security. Its internationally ranked programs in engineering, bioscience, physical science, and computer science also make it a key driver of Maryland’s burgeoning biotech industry.
BARC, the largest agricultural research complex in the world, conducts research on the production and protection of plants and animals. BARC houses approximately 20 laboratories, including ones dedicated to bee research, crop systems and global change, genetic improvement for fruits and vegetables, and sustainable agricultural systems.