Wageningen University & Research (also known as WUR) is a public research university in Wageningen, Netherlands, specializing in life sciences with a focus on agriculture, technical and engineering subjects. It is a globally important center for life sciences and agricultural research. It is located in a region of the Netherlands known as the Food Valley.

Wageningen University and Research consists of two organizations: Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation. Wageningen Research Foundation includes, among others, the former agricultural research institutes of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen University is a research university which grants degrees at the BSc, MSc and PhD level in life and social sciences. It focuses its research on scientific, societal and technological problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. It is widely known for its agriculture, forestry, and environmental studies programs. The university has about 12,000 students from over 100 countries. It is a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) university network.

In 1876 the Rijkslandbouwschool (National Agricultural College) was established in Wageningen. Developing to training at a higher educational level in 1896 it changed its name to the Hoogere Land- en Boschbouwschool (Agricultural and Forestry College) and in 1904 to Rijks Hoogere Land-, Tuin- en Boschbouwschool (National Agricultural, Horticulture and Forestry College).

In 1918 the school became an academic instruction by law (Academic Education Act). The name changed to Rijks Landbouw Hoogeschool (National Agricultural College), which is currently celebrated as its dies natalis (foundation date) at 9 March 1918.

In 1986 the research oriented "hogescholen" (comparable to research and scientific oriented institute of technology or business schools) were renamed University in a modification of the Academic Education Act. The new name became Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen (LUW) (Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU)).

Over the years the research and teaching branched out into life sciences in general. In 1997, when the agricultural research institutes (Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek / Service of agricultural research) merged with the university, the new holding company was rebranded as Wageningen UR (Wageningen University and Research Centre); with the university being renamed Wageningen University. Under Dutch laws the university and the institutes had to remain separate legal entities.

In 2006, the university of applied sciences Van Hall Larenstein became part of Wageningen UR. The intention was to create better collaboration between applied teaching and research at Van Hall and the academic research at Wageningen University. This would also support students to continue with an academic program upon completing their applied degree. However, due to differences in organizational culture and incompatibility of procedures, the collaboration remained problematic. In 2012 it was decided that Van Hall Larenstein would leave Wageningen UR and continue as an independent school once more. In the spring of 2015 the separation was marked by the move of the final Wageningen-based Van Hall Larenstein studies back to Velp.

In 2009 it was decided that the university would use the English brand in its communication. University research could be presented under the name of either the university: Wageningen University (WU), or under of the name Wageningen University and Research (WUR). On 6 September 2016 Wageningen University and the research institutes became one joint brand: Wageningen University & Research (WUR).