Open Call: Impact of Digital Tools on Educational Outcomes and Mental Health

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action focused on understanding the impact of digital tools on young people in education systems. The program examines how smartphones, social media, gaming, and digital communication affect learning, mental health, attention, and motivation. The main aim is to generate strong, policy-relevant evidence to support better education strategies and digital governance.

Core Research Focus Areas

Projects should investigate multiple dimensions of digital technology use among students.

Digital technology and behavior

Smartphone usage in educational contexts
- In classrooms
- During breaks
- At home for learning or leisure
Social media engagement patterns
Gaming and online entertainment habits
Multitasking and digital communication behavior

Educational outcomes

Academic performance
Attention span and focus levels
Student motivation and engagement
Classroom participation and learning efficiency

Mental health and well-being

Stress and anxiety linked to digital use
Digital dependency and addiction risks
Sleep disruption and fatigue
Social isolation and emotional effects

Digital benefits and skills development

Digital literacy improvement
Creativity enhancement
Problem-solving and cognitive skills
Educational technology benefits

Policy Context and Rationale

Many countries are introducing or considering policies on smartphone use in schools and digital well-being guidelines. However, there is still limited scientific evidence on how digital tools actually affect education outcomes and mental health in European systems. This call aims to fill that gap by producing robust, comparative, and actionable evidence.

What the Program Expects from Projects

Evidence-based research

Use mixed methods approaches
- Quantitative methods (surveys, data analysis, experiments)
- Qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, case studies)

Interdisciplinary approach

Education science
Psychology and mental health studies
Sociology and media studies
Digital technology and learning sciences

Policy relevance

Evidence for education policy reform
Practical recommendations for schools
Inputs for digital regulation and governance

Stakeholder involvement

Students
Teachers and school administrators
Parents and caregivers
Media literacy organizations
Inclusion of students with disabilities

Funding Details

Program type: Horizon Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
Topic ID: HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04
Total budget: 12 million euros
Project funding range: 3–4 million euros per project
Submission format: Single-stage application
Opening date: 12 May 2026
Deadline: 23 September 2026

Who is Eligible

Academic and research institutions
Universities and higher education bodies
Private companies and SMEs
Non-governmental organizations
Public sector organizations and education authorities
International organizations

Additional eligibility rules

Any legal entity worldwide may apply
Non-associated third countries are eligible under conditions
Affiliated entities and associated partners may participate

Key Research Objectives

Understand how students use digital tools in daily life
Analyze impact on learning, attention, and academic outcomes
Identify risks such as distraction, overuse, and addiction
Assess benefits such as creativity and digital skills
Study roles of parents and educators in guiding usage
Develop evidence-based policy recommendations

How to Apply or How It Works

Step 1: Understand the call

Review Horizon Europe RIA requirements
Align proposal with topic HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04

Step 2: Build consortium

Include interdisciplinary partners
Engage education and policy stakeholders
Ensure geographic and demographic diversity

Step 3: Design methodology

Combine quantitative and qualitative research
Include real-world school and home contexts
Ensure inclusivity (including students with disabilities)

Step 4: Define impact

Educational improvement outcomes
Mental health insights
Policy relevance and applicability

Step 5: Submit application

Use Horizon Europe submission portal
Single-stage submission process
Deadline: 23 September 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lack of educational context in research design
Weak interdisciplinary collaboration
Limited stakeholder engagement
No clear policy application
Overly theoretical approach without real-world data
Ignoring inclusion and accessibility considerations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main objective of this call
- To study how digital tools affect young people’s
  - Education outcomes
  - Mental health
  - Well-being and behavior
What funding is available
- Total budget: 12 million euros
- Per project funding: 3–4 million euros
Who can apply
- Eligible applicants include
  - Universities and research institutions
  - Companies and SMEs
  - NGOs and non-profits
  - Public sector bodies
  - International organizations
- Open to global participation under Horizon Europe rules
What is the deadline
- Submission deadline: 23 September 2026
What methods are expected
- Mixed-method approach including
  - Quantitative research
    - Surveys
    - Experiments
  - Qualitative research
    - Interviews
    - Case studies
Is stakeholder involvement required
- Yes, strongly encouraged
- Must include
  - Students
  - Teachers
  - Parents
  - Education experts
What makes a strong proposal
- Key features include
  - Interdisciplinary research design
  - Strong policy relevance
  - Evidence-based methodology
  - Inclusion of real-world education stakeholders

Conclusion

This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action provides a major funding opportunity to generate high-quality evidence on how digital technologies influence education and youth well-being. The results are expected to support better policies, healthier digital environments, and improved learning outcomes across Europe and beyond.

For more information, visit European Commission.