I was wondering what the general opinion around the world is when it comes to studying or doing research in Germany? Many German Universities have recently received a generous amount of funding from the government through the Excellence Initiative (http://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/coordinated_programmes/excellence_initiative/) and some have received the title of Excellence in Germany.

What is the perspective worldwide, has this changed anything in the way scientists elsewhere view research in Germany and will this also attract German scientist back to Germany? Or would you be more interested in one of the research institutes like Max Planck or Helmholtz? Or not interested at all and why?

Would love to know what your opinion is!