The Academic Partnership Engagement Experimentÿ(APEX)ÿisÿaÿfirst-of-its-kind programÿthat aims to enhance partnerships between the Department of the Air Force and academia nationwide in support of theÿUnited States Air Force Science & Technology 2030 Strategy. APEX is a Department of the Air Force partnership intermediary agreement.ÿAPEX provides free resources to academic researchers and innovators throughout the U.S.A. who are interested in participating in or applying for funding fromÿtheÿAir Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transition Research (STTR) programs. APEX's goal is to make a major leap forwardÿin Department of the Air Force defense technology innovation and development.