The impact of the use of digital tools outside school and for communication on educational outcomes and mental health

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL2 focuses on researching the impact of digital tools used outside of school on educational outcomes and mental health among young people. The call welcomes applications from research organizations, universities, public research institutions, and private enterprises that conduct research and innovation activities. Individual researchers cannot apply directly; proposals must come from legally recognized entities. The funding mechanism is a Horizon Lump Sum Grant categorized as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), simplifying financial management by providing fixed funding over the project duration. The call requires a consortium of multiple applicants from diverse European organizations to enhance cross-border research cooperation. Eligible participants must primarily come from EU Member States and Associated Countries, with provisions for some non-EU entities. The targeted sectors are education and social sciences, emphasizing the effects of digital transformation on youth well-being and socio-economic research, specifically around education, digital literacy, and mental health impacts. Grants will range from €3,000,000 to €4,000,000, with an overall budget of €12,000,000 allocated for this topic in 2026, aiming to fund approximately three projects. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline set for September 23, 2026, and anticipates an evaluation conclusion by February 2027. No co-funding is explicitly required due to the lump sum format, but participants need to demonstrate adequate financial capacity. The call fosters a multidisciplinary approach to explore how digital tools affect learning environments, motivation, attention, and risk of addiction, encouraging collaboration with stakeholders like educators and media literacy organizations. Proposals should use rigorous methodologies, addressing complex relationships between digital leisure activities and educational outcomes, thereby producing actionable recommendations for policy development. This opportunity signifies a major investment in comprehensively understanding the interplay between digital technology use and youth development in Europe.

This is a summary of several Horizon Europe funding opportunities related to Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, specifically for the year 2026. The calls focus on democracy, heritage, and societal transformations.

General Conditions Applicable to All Calls:

1. Admissibility Conditions:Proposals must adhere to specific page limits and layout guidelines as detailed in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The layout is described in Part B of the Application Form, which is available in the Submission System. For Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) using a lump sum budget, Part B has a 50-page limit. A detailed budget table using the provided template is mandatory.

2. Eligible Countries:Eligibility is defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries have provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions:As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and Operational Capacity and Exclusion:Applicants must meet the criteria outlined in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and Award:Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

€5B. Evaluation and Award:Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and Award:The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is provided in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and Financial Set-up of the Grants:Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. The granting authority can object to ownership transfers or exclusive licensing of results up to 4 years after the action's end, as specified in Annex 5. Additional details are in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific Conditions:

Specific conditions are outlined in the specific topic descriptions within the Work Programme.

Application and Evaluation Forms and Model Grant Agreement (MGA):

Application form templates are available in the Submission System. A standard application form (HE RIA, IA) is used. Evaluation form templates will be adapted as necessary, using a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).

Guidance Documents:

HE Programme Guide

Model Grant Agreements (MGA):Lump Sum MGA

Call-specific instructions

Detailed budget table (HE LS)

Guidance:"Lump sums - what do I need to know?"

Additional Documents:

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment

EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement

Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual

Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Call Topics and Budget Overview:

The following table summarizes the calls, their budget, action type, opening and deadline dates, estimated contribution, and the indicative number of grants. All calls are single-stage.

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-01:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-02:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-03:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €8,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 2

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-04:Innovation Actions (IA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05:Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Budget: €4,500,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €4,000,000 to 4,500,000. Indicative Grants: 1

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-06:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-07:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-08:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-09:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €16,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 4

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,500,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-01:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €15,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €4,500,000 to 5,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-02:Innovation Actions (IA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €5,000,000 to 6,000,000. Indicative Grants: 2

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-03:Innovation Actions (IA). Budget: €15,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €4,000,000 to 5,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-04:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-05:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €15,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 3,750,000. Indicative Grants: 4

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-06:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €11,500,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €5,000,000 to 5,750,000. Indicative Grants: 2

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-07:Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Budget: €5,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €4,500,000 to 5,000,000. Indicative Grants: 1

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-02:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-03:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-05:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €10,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 3,300,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-07:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-08:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €12,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: €3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Indicative Grants: 3

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-09:Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Budget: €15,000,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: around €3,750,000. Indicative Grants: 4

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-10:Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Budget: €3,500,000. Opening: 2026-05-12. Deadline: 2026-09-23. Contribution: around €3,500,000. Indicative Grants: 1

Call Topic Example:HORIZON-CL2

This call, titled "The impact of the use of digital tools outside school and for communication on educational outcomes and mental health," falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 call (HORIZON-CL2-2026-01). It is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] mechanism. The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of 12 May 2026 and a deadline of 23 September 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this topic include:

Providing policymakers, education practitioners, and citizens with a solid understanding of how social media, video gaming, and other leisure uses of digital tools relate to the educational outcomes of young people, including their impact on well-being and mental health.

Generating rigorous, policy-relevant evidence about policies and practices aiming to inform and regulate young people’s use of digital tools for non-educational purposes, such as smartphones, at school.

Developing actionable advice for policymakers and citizens about how to promote young people’s healthy use of digital tools for leisure, both at school and outside school.

Describing and quantifying the relationships of using digital tools for leisure and communication with students’ motivation, study habits, attention span and concentration, time management, engagement, social integration, and overall well-being.

The scope of the call addresses the increasing prevalence of digital devices in young people’s lives and the concerns about the potential impacts of digital tools used for leisure and communication on students' well-being and educational outcomes. It acknowledges the emergence of "digital distraction" as a potential threat to academic performance and the increasing regulation of smartphone use in schools.

Research should address questions such as:

Types of digital device use during school and how these activities differ across contexts.

How different digital activities relate to students’ attention span, concentration, and school motivation.

The impact of frequent smartphone and social media use on students’ attention span, concentration, memory, and relational capacities, and how schools, educators, and parents can balance the use of these tools.

The potential for addiction when using digital tools and the decisive factors influencing this.

How digital leisure activities contribute to skills development, such as problem-solving and digital literacy, and the transferability of these skills into education.

The role of parents and educators in guiding digital leisure activities, including exploring parental digital literacy.

Proposals should explore the complex ways in which digital leisure affects various skills and consider variations across different demographics and contexts. Rigorous experimental methods are encouraged, along with cooperation with educational authorities and the inclusion of opinions from young people and relevant stakeholders. Interdisciplinary approaches are also encouraged.

Partner Search:

The Funding & Tenders Portal allows LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants to publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics.

Submission:

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

Support:

Applicants are encouraged to read all provisions carefully and consult the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers for guidance and support.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to fund research and innovation projects that investigate the impact of digital tools on young people's education, well-being, and mental health. It aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, educators, and parents to promote the healthy and effective use of digital technologies in educational settings. The call encourages interdisciplinary approaches, rigorous research methodologies, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address the complex challenges and opportunities presented by the increasing prevalence of digital devices in young people's lives. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and applicants must adhere to specific guidelines regarding proposal format, eligibility, and evaluation criteria.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) are also mentioned, suggesting that entities involved in coordination and support activities are eligible.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The funding is provided through HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

Consortium Requirement:The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and nature of the research and innovation actions, it is highly likely that a consortium of multiple applicants is preferred, if not required, to bring together the necessary expertise and resources. Partner search announcements are mentioned, suggesting that consortia are common.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. This suggests that the geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries based on specific provisions.

Target Sector:The program targets the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society sector, with a specific focus on the impact of digital tools on education, well-being, and mental health. It also touches upon areas like education, ICT, social sciences, neurosciences, communication science (media psychology) and pedagogy.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but the text refers to EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries with specific provisions.

Project Stage:The project stage varies depending on the type of action. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) typically focus on research and development, while Innovation Actions (IA) focus on demonstration and validation. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) focus on networking, coordination, and dissemination. Therefore, the project stage can range from research to demonstration.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action, ranging from €3,000,000 to €6,000,000.

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-01 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-02 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-03 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-04 - HORIZON-IA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 - HORIZON-CSA:€4,000,000 to €4,500,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-06 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-07 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-08 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-09 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,500,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-01 - HORIZON-RIA:€4,500,000 to €5,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-02 - HORIZON-IA:€5,000,000 to €6,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-03 - HORIZON-IA:€4,000,000 to €5,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-04 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-05 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €3,750,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-06 - HORIZON-RIA:€5,000,000 to €5,750,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-07 - HORIZON-CSA:€4,500,000 to €5,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-02 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-03 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-05 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €3,300,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-07 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-08 - HORIZON-RIA:€3,000,000 to €4,000,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-09 - HORIZON-RIA:around €3,750,000

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-10 - HORIZON-CSA:around €3,500,000

Application Type:The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive monetary support in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement:The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, Horizon Europe grants often fund a significant portion of the project costs, but may not cover 100%, so co-funding might be indirectly implied.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, part of the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 program, focuses on the impact of digital tools used outside of school for leisure and communication on the educational outcomes and mental health of young people. The call aims to fund projects that can provide policymakers, educators, and citizens with a better understanding of these impacts, generate evidence-based policies, and develop actionable advice for promoting healthy digital tool use. The projects should explore the complex relationships between digital leisure activities and students' attention, motivation, skills, and well-being, using rigorous research methods and involving relevant stakeholders. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with amounts varying depending on the type of action (RIA, IA, CSA) and specific topic, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, and other entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities, likely requiring a consortium approach to bring together diverse expertise. The geographic scope includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries with specific provisions.