Scientists at the top-ranked institutions in this year's survey celebrated their organization's strong focus on collaboration, team building and unique funding opportunities.
By Victoria Stern

See all the ranking results from this year's survey. Review the strengths and weaknesses of the Top 40 US institutions in sortable online tables. Breakdown the Top 15 US and Top 10 international institutions by the numbers and learn more about this year's respondents.

Find out how Princeton University, which jumped to second place in 2008 after not making the list in 2007, took the top spot this year.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center rocketed from 30th place in 2007 to fourth this year, perhaps in part for its focus on new investigators.

Topping this year's international list, The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, boasts an unusually democratic administration in which all employees have a say in the scientific direction of the institute.

Find out why University of Groningen won 4th place internationally, despite having never ranked in our surveys before.