The capital's universities are in particular demand among researchers from abroad. This is according to the new Humboldt Rankings 2020. The first two positions are filled by Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Technische Universität Berlin is ranked fourth, meaning that it has made up three places since the 2017 rankings.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation regularly evaluates the number of guest stays from top-level and junior researchers who in the last five years have conducted research as fellows or award winners of the foundation in Germany – and where they have spent a significant portion of their research stay. A top position in the Humboldt Rankings is regarded as an important indicator for the global reputation of research institutions in Germany.