OpenAI AI and Teen Development Research Grants

OpenAI has announced a $5 million commitment to fund independent research investigating how generative AI impacts the development and daily lives of adolescents aged 13–17. The initiative aims to establish a stronger evidence base to inform the design of AI products for teens and provide data-driven insights for policymakers and regulators.

Research Objectives and Scope

The program focuses on the opportunities and challenges associated with AI use during adolescence, with a specific emphasis on social and emotional development. OpenAI is seeking research that explores the nuances of AI engagement across different ages, contexts, and demographics, as well as the efficacy of various safeguards and interventions.

Key Funding Priorities

OpenAI has identified four primary areas of research interest:

  • Emotional Development and Well-being: Studies on identity, agency, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and social connection.
  • Social Development and Relationships: Research into how AI affects friendships, family dynamics, empathy, communication, and the general relationship between human connection and AI.
  • Patterns, Contexts, and Variance: Analysis of how outcomes differ based on the amount of time spent with AI, the purpose of use, age, language, culture, and socioeconomic status.
  • Mitigations and Policy: Evaluation of AI literacy, product interventions, safeguards, and the role of parental or educator support in promoting healthy-use practices.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The program is open to researchers aged 18 or older who are affiliated with research institutions or organizations, or those with significant experience in fields such as psychology, public health, human-computer interaction, sociology, anthropology, and AI safety. While proposals from any country are welcome, priority is given to countries with high AI adoption rates.

Application Components

Applicants must submit a Google Doc containing the following:

  • Project Summary: A brief overview (under one page).
  • Research Proposal: A detailed plan (maximum three pages) covering research questions, methods, study population, recruitment strategy, and expected outputs.
  • Project Plan and Timeline: Key milestones and the expected completion date.
  • Budget and Justification: Requested funding and other support sources.
  • Project Dependencies: Necessary requirements and associated risks.
  • Ethics and Safeguarding Statement: Mandatory for research involving minors or sensitive populations.
  • Team Information: CVs or bios for the principal investigator and key team members.
  • Independence and Conflicts Disclosure: Disclosure of financial relationships or industry funding.

Ethical Standards for Research Involving Minors

Because the research involves minors, OpenAI requires rigorous ethical oversight. Applicants must explicitly detail their institutional ethics-review process, how informed consent and age-appropriate assent will be handled, and the methods used to protect participant privacy and data security. Proposals must also explain how the team will respond to disclosures of harm or imminent risk and detail the team's expertise in child development or safeguarding.

Grant Details and Review Criteria

OpenAI will award individual grants of up to $1 million, with a total fund of $5 million. A maximum of 10% of each grant may be used for overhead or indirect costs.

Evaluation Metrics

Proposals are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Scientific Rigor: The strength of the research design and analysis.
  • Actionability: The potential to translate findings into product guidance, safeguards, or regulatory approaches.
  • Independence and Credibility: The ability to produce trustworthy findings regardless of whether they are favorable to AI providers.
  • Inclusion: Attention to diverse populations and cultures.
  • Other factors: Proposal quality, feasibility, team expertise, and complementarity to OpenAI's internal research.

Preference may be given to projects involving ChatGPT, interdisciplinary teams, and those capable of producing evidence for near- or medium-term policy decisions.

Timeline and Deliverables

Submissions are open until October 6, 2026. Selected proposals will be notified by November 13, 2026.

Expected Outputs

Funded projects must provide OpenAI with a final report detailing the research questions, methods, results, limitations, and recommendations for stakeholders. An interim update is required in Q1 2027. While OpenAI strongly encourages researchers to make findings publicly available via peer-reviewed publications or preprints, public publication is not a condition of receiving funding.

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