Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS SAU 2602
The AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX) is a U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at building durable, practical ties between rising Saudi AI talent and established American experts across industry, technology, and academia. The core idea is to create a structured pipeline that starts with competitive recruitment and project ideation, moves into an intensive two-week U.S. exchange focused on exposure to U.S. standards and real-world networks, and then returns to Saudi Arabia with a public-facing capstone showcase designed to keep partnerships alive and generate follow-on activity. The program is meant to strengthen professional networks, increase understanding of U.S. technology ecosystems and norms, and spark longer-term institutional collaboration between U.S. and Saudi organizations.
The target participants are Saudi nationals ages 20 to 30 who are already on a clear AI pathway. Eligible participants include undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and recent graduates who are studying or working in AI-adjacent fields such as data science, machine learning, robotics, or similar disciplines. English fluency is required, and the selection emphasis is not just technical ability but also leadership potential, since the program is framed around developing future tech leaders who can build bridges between ecosystems.
APEX is structured around three required phases that the implementing partner must plan and deliver in coordination with the Embassy and other partners. Phase 1 is a preparation period starting around April 1, 2027, blending virtual and in-person elements. During this phase the awardee is expected to stand up an online application portal, run a recruitment campaign, and manage a competitive selection process that includes a virtual hackathon for shortlisted candidates. The hackathon is not a side activity; it is a key screening mechanism where candidates form and refine AI project concepts, and the strongest project ideas help determine who ultimately earns a spot on the U.S. exchange. Phase 1 also includes structured training for selected participants in leadership, project management, and cross-cultural communication so they are ready to represent themselves effectively and engage professionally during the U.S. component.
Phase 2 is the centerpiece: a two-week U.S. exchange in July 2027 spanning two or three U.S. cities. The exchange is expected to include site visits to major American tech hubs and universities, curated networking opportunities, workshops tied to a major AI summit, and cultural programming that supports mutual understanding. A mentorship layer continues after travel: each participant should be matched with a professional mentor who provides three months of bi-weekly virtual career coaching following the exchange. This mentoring requirement is important because it extends the learning and relationship-building beyond the two-week trip and helps convert short-term exposure into longer-term guidance and professional connection.
Phase 3 is a follow-on summit in Saudi Arabia on or around January 2028, typically within three to six months after the U.S. travel. This event is designed as a showcase where participants present follow-on capstone AI projects to Saudi stakeholders, including local tech communities, government leaders, and potential investors. The Embassy notes this summit can be scheduled adjacent to a major Saudi AI gathering or a U.S. government-related event, which signals that organizers should think strategically about maximizing visibility, convening power, and partnership opportunities. In practice, this phase is where the program demonstrates impact: it is a public proof-point that the exchange produced tangible project outputs and sustained engagement.
From a grants and compliance perspective, this opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement instrument, meaning the Embassy is likely to be actively involved during implementation rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The opportunity number is DOS SAU 2602 under CFDA 19.040, with an anticipated single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) and an award ceiling of $250,000. The posted original closing date is September 8, 2026, and the opportunity was created July 26, 2026. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
A notable requirement is that applicants must submit three complete budget scenarios that cover different cohort sizes: 12 participants, 16 participants (the primary scenario), and 20 participants. The intent is to show that the program design can scale up or down without sacrificing quality, while also demonstrating cost-effectiveness as participant counts change. In practical terms, that usually means clearly identifying which costs are fixed (platform setup, program management, some event costs) versus variable (airfare, per diem, lodging, local transport, visas, insurance, mentor honoraria if used), and showing how per-participant costs shift at each cohort size while keeping the core elements intact across all three scenarios.
Key details to retain if you are briefing a team quickly: APEX is a three-phase leadership-and-technology exchange for Saudi AI emerging leaders, anchored by a competitive hackathon-based selection process, a two-week multi-city U.S. program tied to tech hubs and an AI summit, a three-month mentoring extension, and a Saudi capstone summit to showcase projects and cement partnerships. The Embassy is funding one cooperative agreement up to $250,000, with applications due in early September 2026 and major program milestones running from spring 2027 through early 2028.Apply for DOS SAU 2602
- The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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APEX (AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders) - FAQs
1) What is APEX?
APEX (AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders) is a U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy cooperative agreement opportunity designed to build durable, practical ties between rising Saudi AI talent and established American experts across industry, technology, and academia.
2) What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to strengthen professional networks, increase understanding of U.S. technology ecosystems and norms, and spark longer-term institutional collaboration between U.S. and Saudi organizations through a structured exchange and follow-on engagement.
3) How is the APEX program structured?
APEX has three required phases: (1) a preparation and competitive selection period (including a hackathon), (2) a two-week U.S. exchange across two or three U.S. cities, and (3) a follow-on capstone summit in Saudi Arabia where participants showcase AI projects to local stakeholders.
4) Who is the intended participant audience?
The target participants are Saudi nationals ages 20 to 30 who are already on a clear AI pathway, including undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and recent graduates working or studying in AI-adjacent fields.
5) What fields or disciplines are considered relevant for participants?
Eligible participants may be studying or working in AI-adjacent disciplines such as data science, machine learning, robotics, or similar technical fields.
6) Is English required?
Yes. English fluency is required for participation.
7) What does the selection process emphasize?
Selection emphasizes not only technical ability, but also leadership potential, since APEX is framed around developing future tech leaders who can build bridges between the U.S. and Saudi technology ecosystems.
8) What happens in Phase 1 (Preparation and Selection)?
Phase 1 begins around April 1, 2027 and blends virtual and in-person components. The implementing partner is expected to launch an online application portal, run a recruitment campaign, manage a competitive selection process, and conduct a virtual hackathon for shortlisted candidates.
9) Why is the hackathon included?
The virtual hackathon is a key screening mechanism. Shortlisted candidates form and refine AI project concepts, and the strongest project ideas help determine which candidates ultimately earn a spot on the U.S. exchange.
10) Does Phase 1 include training for selected participants?
Yes. Phase 1 includes structured training in leadership, project management, and cross-cultural communication to prepare participants to engage professionally during the U.S. exchange.
11) What is Phase 2 (the U.S. exchange)?
Phase 2 is a two-week U.S. exchange in July 2027 spanning two or three U.S. cities. It is expected to include site visits to major American tech hubs and universities, curated networking opportunities, workshops tied to a major AI summit, and cultural programming to support mutual understanding.
12) Is mentoring included after the U.S. exchange?
Yes. Each participant should be matched with a professional mentor who provides three months of bi-weekly virtual career coaching following the exchange.
13) How long does the mentoring component last and how often does it occur?
The mentoring requirement lasts for three months after the U.S. exchange and is expected to take place on a bi-weekly basis.
14) What is Phase 3 (the Saudi capstone summit)?
Phase 3 is a follow-on summit in Saudi Arabia on or around January 2028 (typically within three to six months after U.S. travel). Participants present follow-on capstone AI projects to Saudi stakeholders such as local tech communities, government leaders, and potential investors.
15) Can the Saudi summit be aligned with other major events?
Yes. The Embassy notes the summit can be scheduled adjacent to a major Saudi AI gathering or a U.S. government-related event to maximize visibility and partnership opportunities.
16) Who is issuing this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia (U.S. Embassy Riyadh) as a U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy cooperative agreement.
17) What type of award is this?
It is a cooperative agreement, which indicates the Embassy is likely to be actively involved during implementation rather than only providing funds.
18) What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The opportunity number is DOS SAU 2602 under CFDA 19.040.
19) How many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).
20) What is the maximum funding amount?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
21) When is the application due?
The posted original closing date is September 8, 2026.
22) When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 26, 2026.
23) Who is eligible to apply as an organization?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
24) What are the key program milestone dates?
Phase 1 preparation begins around April 1, 2027; the two-week U.S. exchange is expected in July 2027; and the follow-on Saudi capstone summit is expected on or around January 2028.
25) What is required regarding the project budget submission?
Applicants must submit three complete budget scenarios that cover cohort sizes of 12 participants, 16 participants (the primary scenario), and 20 participants.
26) Why are three budget scenarios required?
The intent is to show the program can scale up or down without sacrificing quality, and to demonstrate cost-effectiveness as the participant count changes.
27) What does the Embassy expect to see reflected across the different cohort budgets?
The budgets should make clear how the program maintains core elements across cohort sizes and how fixed costs versus variable costs affect per-participant costs as the cohort scales.
28) What are examples of costs that may change with cohort size?
As described, variable costs commonly include airfare, per diem, lodging, local transport, visas, insurance, and potential mentor honoraria (if used).
29) What are examples of costs that may be more fixed regardless of cohort size?
As described, fixed costs often include online platform setup, program management, and some event costs.
30) What makes this program different from a one-time exchange trip?
APEX is designed as a pipeline: recruitment and project ideation (with a hackathon-based screen), an intensive U.S. exchange grounded in U.S. standards and real networks, continued mentoring for three months after travel, and a public-facing capstone showcase in Saudi Arabia to help keep partnerships active and generate follow-on activity.
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