The selection panel emphasized that Freie Universität’s commitment to equal opportunities is fully integrated in the university’s self-image and organizational culture and is firmly anchored in the university's structure. The university devotes substantial resources to this work. Furthermore, Freie Universität actively functions as a role model for other universities by setting impulses for promoting equality in city-wide and nationwide networks. The Margherita von Brentano Center for Gender Studies was highlighted as a central interface and the Open Gender Platform as a starting point for all German-language gender research. The panel also mentioned Freie Universität’s efforts toward achieving equality in the areas of faculty appointments and human resource development as well as the further development of the successful project “Gender and Diversity in Teaching Toolbox.” In summary, the selection panel stated that Freie Universität is doing outstanding equality work in all areas of activity.

The nonprofit organization, Total E-Quality e.V., works to establish equal opportunities for women and men in the workplace, with a focus on promoting women in management positions. The award has been given to companies and political institutions since 1996, and since 2002 universities and other academic institutions can also be taken into consideration. Since 2015 a rating for diversity has also been awarded, which recognizes institutions’ efforts to support diversity among employees. Since 2002, Freie Universität has applied successfully every three years for the award in recognition of its promotion of equal opportunities, and in 2017 for the first time, also for the additional recognition for its work toward promoting diversity.

Plans are underway to reapply for the additional diversity rating within the Total E-Quality award system in the spring of 2021. This is related to an organizational development process that Freie Universität will initiate in the fall of 2020 as part of the Diversity Audit of the Stifterverband.