OpenAI AI & Teen Development Research Grant Program 2026: Funding for Youth AI Impact Studies

OpenAI is offering a significant research grant program in 2026 focused on understanding the impact of generative AI on teenagers aged 13 to 17. This initiative aims to fund independent research that explores how AI affects young people’s lives and development, providing valuable insights for AI product development and policy-making. The program is open to researchers affiliated with institutions or those with substantial experience in child development, AI, or related fields.

Application Closing Date: October 6, 2026

Location: Not specified (Research can be conducted globally)

Programme Duration: Not specified

Stipend: Up to $1 million per grant, totaling $5 million

Minimum Qualification: Affiliation with a research institution or significant relevant experience

Opportunity Type: Research Grant

About the OpenAI AI & Teen Development Research Grant Program

This grant program is designed to build a robust understanding of how generative AI influences the lives of adolescents. OpenAI recognizes that AI is increasingly integrated into how teens learn, create, and seek information, and its effects can be complex and varied. The goal is to support research that sheds light on these impacts, informing the responsible development of AI technologies for young users.

The program encourages research into the opportunities and challenges AI presents during adolescence, with a special emphasis on social and emotional development. By funding independent studies, OpenAI seeks to contribute to a broader industry-wide understanding of AI’s nuances across different demographics and contexts. This knowledge will be crucial for developing effective safeguards and interventions.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is a leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company. Its mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. The company focuses on advancing AI capabilities through research and developing safe and beneficial AI systems.

Available Research Areas

OpenAI is particularly interested in research proposals that address one or more of the following key areas:

• Emotional Development and Well-being: Studies focusing on emotion regulation, resilience, identity formation, agency, self-esteem, and social connection among teens using AI.
• Social Development and Relationships: Research examining the impact of AI on friendships, family relationships, a sense of belonging, communication skills, empathy, and overall human connection.
• Patterns, Contexts, and Variance Across Demographics: Investigations into how AI use and its outcomes differ based on factors like time spent, type of use, age, cultural background, language, socioeconomic status, and other individual or contextual variables.
• Mitigations, Age-Appropriate Design, and Policy Approaches: Research evaluating the effectiveness of safeguards, product interventions, AI literacy programs, parental or educator support, and healthy AI use practices.

What the Grant Offers

Successful applicants will receive significant funding to conduct their research. The program offers:

• Individual research grants of up to $1 million.
• A total of up to $5 million in funding across all awarded grants.
• The opportunity to contribute to critical knowledge about AI’s impact on youth.
• Support for independent research rather than for-profit initiatives.

Programme Duration and Location

The specific duration for individual research projects is not stated but should be outlined in the project proposal. Research can be conducted globally, as the focus is on the impact of AI on teens, not a specific geographic location for the research itself.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for this grant program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be affiliated with a research institution or organization.
• Possess significant experience relevant to child or adolescent development, well-being, human-computer interaction, AI impacts, or a closely related field.
• Proposals will not be prioritized for for-profit organizations.

Competencies Required

Proposals will be evaluated based on several key criteria, indicating the competencies sought in research projects:

• Scientific Rigor: The strength and appropriateness of the research design and analysis.
• Relevance: Examination of a topic pertinent to current public discussions on AI.
• Proposal Quality: Clarity, focus, and coherence of the application.
• Actionability: Potential to translate findings into practical guidance for AI models, products, safeguards, regulatory approaches, or future research.
• Ethics and Safeguarding: Adequacy of protections for minors and other participants.
• Feasibility: Whether the project can be completed within the proposed resources and timeline.
• Team Expertise: The team’s capability to conduct the proposed work responsibly.
• Inclusion and Generalizability: Attention to diverse populations, contexts, cultures, and experiences.
• Complementarity: How the work adds to existing evidence and aligns with OpenAI’s research agenda.
• Independence and Credibility: The project’s ability to produce trustworthy findings.

Who Should Apply?

This grant program is ideal for researchers, academics, and institutions dedicated to understanding the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and adolescent development. It is suited for those who can design rigorous studies to explore the social, emotional, and cognitive impacts of AI on teenagers. Applicants should have a strong track record in relevant research fields and a commitment to producing credible, actionable insights.

Required Documents

Applications must be submitted as a single-spaced Google document and should include the following:

• Project Summary: A brief overview of the proposed research and its expected contribution (less than one page).
• Research Proposal: No more than three pages (excluding references), covering research questions, prior research, proposed methods, study population, expected outputs, limitations, and relevance to program goals.
• Project Plan and Timeline: Key activities, milestones, and expected completion date.
• Budget and Budget Justification: Requested funding, major cost categories, and other committed support.
• Project Dependencies: Explanation of requirements and risks.
• Ethics and Safeguarding Statement: Required for research involving minors or vulnerable populations, referencing relevant regulations.
• Team Information: Short CVs or bios for the principal investigator and key team members.
• Independence and Conflicts Disclosure: Relevant financial relationships or potential conflicts of interest.

All applications must be submitted in English.

How to Apply

Interested researchers can apply for the OpenAI AI & Teen Development Research Grant Program 2026 through the official application portal.

Click here to apply for the OpenAI AI & Teen Development Research Grant Program 2026

Applicants should ensure their proposals are clear, well-structured, and meet all the specified requirements before submission.

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific rigor, relevance, and potential impact.
• Research must adhere to strict ethical guidelines and safeguarding measures for minors.
• The program prioritizes independent research that can inform AI development and policy.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications for the OpenAI AI & Teen Development Research Grant Program 2026 is October 6, 2026.

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