Apply for University-led Networks for Innovation, Technology, and Expertise Program (Saudi Arabia)

Deadline: 17-Sep-2026

The UNITE program supports U.S. academic institutions in developing applied partnerships with Saudi universities and institutions to address workforce, technical, operational, and development gaps in priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, digital technology, and emerging technologies. Selected teams can receive up to $25,000 in seed funding, with a mandatory 1:1 institutional match, to develop practical deliverables such as training curricula, technical roadmaps, standards briefs, and workforce-readiness assessments. UNITE Program Overview The UNITE program is designed to strengthen practical collaboration between U.S. universities, Saudi institutions, and U.S. commercial or technical partners. The program responds to opportunities created by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly the country’s growing demand for expertise in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, digital transformation, emerging technologies, and workforce development. Rather than supporting purely academic research, UNITE focuses on applied projects that address clearly identified workforce, technical, operational, or standards-related challenges in Saudi Arabia. What Is the UNITE Program Designed to Achieve? UNITE aims to establish practical and sustainable university-industry partnerships between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The program seeks to:

Address critical workforce and development gaps in Saudi priority sectors. Connect U.S. academic expertise with Saudi institutional needs. Encourage faculty-driven international partnerships. Introduce U.S. technical expertise and academic standards into collaborative projects. Other practical tools designed for Saudi stakeholders The final product should have a clear practical application and reflect relevant U.S. expertise, academic standards, technical knowledge, or best practices. Funding Available UNITE will support approximately four to five applied project teams.

Each selected project team can receive:

Up to $25,000 in seed funding 1:1 matching commitment from participating institutions An overall programme funding pool of $150,000 An 18-month performance period The matching requirement means that a project receiving the maximum $25,000 award must provide an equivalent $25,000 contribution. U.S. higher education institutions or entities with substantial academic networks are preferred. Role of For-Profit Organizations For-profit companies are not eligible to serve as prime recipients or subrecipients under the programme. However, they may participate as vendors providing goods or services. This distinction is important for applicants planning to involve private-sector expertise. A commercial or technical partner can contribute to the project structure, but the funding arrangement must comply with the programme’s restrictions on for-profit entities. Why It Matters The UNITE program addresses a practical challenge in international academic cooperation: universities and businesses may have expertise that matches another country’s needs but lack an established mechanism for turning that expertise into applied partnerships. UNITE provides a structured pathway for U.S. academic institutions to work with Saudi counterparts on specific development challenges.

The programme can help:

Build international university partnerships. Strengthen workforce-development initiatives. Transfer technical knowledge. Develop industry-relevant training. Improve technical standards and practices. Create practical tools for Saudi institutions. Establish relationships that may continue beyond the initial 18-month project. How the UNITE Program Works

Step 1: Identify a Specific Saudi Need

The U.S. academic applicant should begin by identifying a concrete workforce, technical, operational, or standards gap in Saudi Arabia. The problem should be specific enough to address within an 18-month project.

Step 2: Establish the Saudi Partnership

Identify an appropriate Saudi university or institution that understands the local challenge and can contribute to project implementation. The Saudi partner should have a meaningful role in defining the problem, implementing activities, and using the final deliverable.

Step 3: Add a U.S. Commercial or Technical Partner

Identify a U.S.-based commercial or technical organization capable of providing relevant practical expertise. The partner can help ensure that the project addresses real-world workforce, technical, or industry requirements.

Step 4: Define the Applied Project

Develop a project that directly addresses the identified gap.

Clearly explain:

The problem. Why it matters. Who is affected. What the partnership will do. What expertise each partner contributes. What will be produced. How Saudi stakeholders will use the final product.

Step 5: Develop the Deliverable

The project should have a clearly defined final output, such as a curriculum, technical roadmap, standards document, or workforce assessment. The deliverable should be practical, measurable, and relevant to Saudi stakeholders.

Step 6: Prepare the Matching Contribution

Calculate the required 1: 1 match.

For example, a project receiving a $25,000 UNITE award would need to provide a matching contribution valued at $25,000 through eligible cash or documented in-kind resources.

Step 7: Plan the 18-Month Implementation

Create a realistic work plan covering the full performance period. A competitive proposal should demonstrate a clear connection between the Saudi development challenge and the proposed U.S. expertise.

Strong proposals are likely to have:

A clearly defined Saudi workforce or technical gap. Strong commitment from the Saudi partner. A capable U.S. academic lead. A relevant U.S. commercial or technical partner. A practical and measurable deliverable. Clear division of responsibilities. A realistic 18-month implementation plan. A credible matching contribution. Potential for continued U.S.-Saudi cooperation after the grant period.