The annual seminar takes place between March 14 and 19, 2009 in Berlin. In addition to the 350 American scholars the Commission invites for the first time 250 German grantees of the program year 2009/10. The combination of the annual seminar for American and orientation meeting for German grantees will allow these two groups of grantees to share experiences and build up networks. The Berlin Seminar will also recognize the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall and the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany.