AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX)
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy Section seeks a partner to implement the AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders program, designed to connect high-potential Saudi nationals aged 20 to 30—undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students, or recent graduates in AI-related fields—with American experts in technology, business, and academia. Participants must be fluent in English and demonstrate strong leadership potential. The program requires three detailed budget scenarios for cohort sizes of 12, 16 (primary), and 20 participants, all must ensure program quality while remaining cost-effective at each scale. The initiative includes three mandatory phases: a preparatory phase in April 2027 involving an online application portal, a virtual hackathon to select participants, and training in leadership and cross-cultural communication; a two-week immersive exchange in July 2027 to two or three U.S. tech hubs and universities, featuring workshops at a major AI summit, networking events, cultural activities, and bi-weekly virtual mentoring for three months after the trip; and a follow-on summit in Saudi Arabia in January 2028, where participants present capstone AI projects to local tech stakeholders, government officials, and investors, ideally aligned with major Saudi AI events. All phases must be coordinated with the U.S. Embassy and local partners. The solicitation, titled AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX) with reference DOS-SAU-2602, was posted on July 26, 2026, and responses are due by September 8, 2026. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov, with inquiries directed to the designated point of contact at riyadhgrants@state.gov.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
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Documents
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Timeline
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Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Program Purpose
The U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy Section is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement to run the AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders. The goal of this program is to connect rising Saudi Artificial Intelligence (AI) leaders with American experts in business, tech, and academia. This initiative helps participants build professional networks, study U.S. technology standards, and create lasting partnerships between American and Saudi institutions.
Target Audience and Participants
The program should be designed for Saudi nationals aged 20 to 30. Participants must be undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students, or recent graduates who are studying or working in AI-related fields (such as data science, robotics, or machine learning). They must also speak fluent English and show strong leadership potential. Provide three complete budget scenarios for 12 participants, 16 participants (primary), and 20 participants.
Applicants must provide budget scenarios for three participant cohort sizes:
· 12 participants
· 16 participants (primary scenario)
· 20 participants
Each budget scenario should maintain program quality while demonstrating cost-effectiveness at different scales.
Program Components
In addition to the planning and preparation with the Embassy and partner organizations, the selected partner will plan and run three mandatory participant-focused phases:
· Phase 1: Preparation (Virtual and In-Person) around April 1, 2027: The partner will create an online application portal and launch a recruiting campaign. They will host a virtual hackathon to help short-listed candidates design an AI project idea. Top project ideas will determine who wins a spot on the exchange trip. The partner will also train the group in leadership, project management, and cross-cultural communication before they travel.
· Phase 2: U.S. Exchange (Two Weeks) in July 2027: The partner will lead a two-week summer trip to two or three U.S. cities. The trip will include visits to American tech hubs and universities, networking events, workshops at a major AI summit, and cultural activities. The partner will also match each participant with a professional mentor for three months of bi-weekly virtual career coaching after the exchange program component.
Phase 3: Follow-On Summit (Saudi Arabia) on/around January 2028: Within three to six months after the trip, the partner will organize a showcase event in Saudi Arabia. Participants will present their follow-on capstone AI projects to local tech communities, government leaders, and investors. This could be adjacent to major Saudi AI summits or a USG-related event.
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