Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action focused on understanding how the use of digital tools for leisure and communication affects educational outcomes, well-being, and mental health among young people across primary, secondary, and higher education systems.
The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes include the impact of social media, smartphones, gaming and digital leisure activities on educational performance, attention, motivation, well-being and mental health; digital distraction and addiction; healthy digital use; digital literacy and skills development; parental guidance; inclusion of students with disabilities; interdisciplinary research approaches; and collaboration with educators, students, parents and media literacy organisations.
The call recognises growing concerns around the increasing use of smartphones, social media, video games and other digital tools among young people and their possible effects on learning and mental health. While many countries are introducing policies to regulate smartphone use in schools, existing evidence remains limited, particularly within European education systems.
The programme seeks projects that generate rigorous and policy-relevant evidence on how digital leisure activities influence educational outcomes and well-being. Research proposals are expected to explore how students use digital devices in different school contexts, including during classes, breaks and outside school hours, and how these behaviours affect attention, motivation, concentration and academic engagement.
Projects should also investigate the balance between the benefits and risks of digital leisure activities. This includes examining how digital tools can contribute to skills development such as creativity, digital literacy and problem-solving, while also assessing risks linked to excessive use, distraction or addiction. The role of educators and parents in guiding healthy digital practices is also expected to form an important part of the research.
The call encourages interdisciplinary and evidence-based approaches, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. Strong cooperation with educational institutions, policymakers and young people themselves is considered essential for developing practical recommendations and effective policies.
Under the HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04 topic, the funding mechanism is a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (RIA). The total budget available is €12 million, with individual project grants expected to range between €3 million and €4 million. The application process follows a single-stage submission model. The call opened on 12 May 2026 and the deadline for submissions is 23 September 2026.
The opportunity is open to any legal entity regardless of place of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided the conditions of the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific topic requirements are met. Affiliated entities and associated partners may also participate under the applicable rules.
For more information, visit European Commission.
