Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Impact of Technology and Digital Media Exposure Usage on Child and Adolescent Development

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced its intention to publish a future Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support research into the effects of technology and digital media (TDM) usage on child and adolescent development. This early notification is provided under Forecast ID NOT-HD-25-008 to allow time for potential applicants to develop collaborative research teams and design projects aligned with the initiative's goals. NICHD’s research interests span child health and human development, and this planned initiative responds to rapidly evolving TDM usage trends that are reshaping social behaviors and developmental pathways in youth. The purpose of the upcoming NOFO is to advance understanding of how exposure to and use of various forms of digital media affect young individuals' cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. TDM includes a wide range of technologies and platforms—such as social media, mobile apps, websites, television, AI-driven tools, video games, virtual and augmented reality systems, and other online content delivery methods. The funding will support studies assessing both the direct and indirect effects of TDM, including how such media influence child-parent interactions, peer relationships, and wider community dynamics. Applications will be invited under a phased R61/R33 mechanism. This model is often used to support exploratory and developmental work (R61) with the potential for expansion into more in-depth studies (R33) pending successful achievement of initial milestones. Although the exact scope of allowable expenses will be clarified in the full NOFO, the focus on research and interdisciplinary collaboration suggests funding may support data collection, personnel, technology development or usage, analytical tools, and dissemination of findings. NICHD specifically encourages applications from multidisciplinary teams, combining expertise from behavioral sciences, pediatrics, cognitive science, neurodevelopment, statistical modeling, information science, and related fields. The anticipated funding pool for this initiative is approximately $3,000,000. Specific award ceilings and floors have not yet been announced. The grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds. The estimated timeline indicates the full NOFO will be posted by March 1, 2026, with applications due by June 30, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by April 1, 2027, with funded projects starting on the same date. As of now, this remains a forecasted opportunity, and applications are not yet being accepted. The opportunity is expected to be open to a wide array of institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants will include independent school districts, state and county governments, tribal governments (both federally recognized and non-federally recognized), public and private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Additionally, foreign components, as defined by NIH policy, are also eligible, making this a globally accessible research initiative. For additional information or questions, potential applicants may contact Dr. Brett Miller at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD via phone at 301-496-9849 or email at brett.miller@nih.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor the NIH and Grants.gov websites for the formal release of the NOFO and any subsequent updates to the application timeline or requirements.