The prize includes a permanent full professorship at the hosting university, plus 5 million euros for experimentally working scientists or 3.5 million euros for theoretically working scientists (in addition, the university is expected to provide matching funds).
This makes it the most highly endowed research prize in Germany, and possibly world-wide.
A maximum of ten Alexander von Humboldt Professorships can be awarded every year to researchers of all disciplines.
[1] From 2020 to 2024, an additional six Humboldt Professorships in the field of artificial intelligence can be awarded each year.
Nominations are made by German universities, possibly in cooperation with research institutions.