F-pi-9 will follow the success of previous F-pi conferences organized in Japan (Osaka in 1989, 1999, and 2006 and Kobe in 1992), USA (Santa Cruz in 1995 and Ithaca in 2004), Germany (Ulm in 2002) and Austria (Graz in 2008). The conference started as the "International Symposium on Functional Dyes鈥; however, to broaden the scope of the conference and to adjust to developments in academic and industrial research, the name was changed to the "International Symposium on Functional pi-Electron Systems" in 2002. F-pi-9 is expected to attract up to 500 participants from all over the world to discuss their new research and results in the context of conjugated polymer/oligomer synthesis, organic semiconductor materials, photovoltaic and electroactive materials and devices, graphene, functional pi-systems for therapeutic applications and more. Six plenary speakers will present their latest research along with 35 invited speakers. The program will also include some 84 contributed talks and three poster sessions, which will allow students and others to highlight their recent work.