Impact of the learning environment and the use of digital tools in everyday life on key skills and competence development

The main objective of this opportunity is to understand how digital tools affect children's wellbeing and learning, and to develop evidence-based recommendations for high-quality education using these technologies. The focus is on studying the influence of digital technologies, including generative AI, on literacy, numeracy, and adolescent development. Proposals should also address cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing within the school community, considering the roles of students, teachers, and school leaders. There is an emphasis on exploring effective interventions and the learning environment, while including diverse perspectives such as age, gender, disabilities, and socio-economic status. The opportunity applies to eligible countries as defined by the Horizon Europe Programme, with some additional provisions for certain non-EU countries.

• Analyze how digital tools in everyday life affect children’s and teenagers’ development: cognitive, emotional, social, and well-being.

• Investigate the impact of environments like home, school, and leisure using digital devices including AI-based technologies.

• Provide evidence-based recommendations for educational practices that support skill development and well-being.

• Examine effects of digital tool use on literacy, numeracy, attention, memory, sleep, and social engagement.

• Consider intersecting factors such as gender, socio-economic status, and inequality in digital exposure and outcomes.

• Use interdisciplinary and participatory methods and possibly include neuroscientific, sociological, or pedagogical expertise.

• Propose policy-relevant guidance to inform education stakeholders, school leaders, and content providers.

• Target developmental stages where digital engagement is significant, such as adolescence and early schooling.

• Apply transparent, FAIR-aligned data practices and engage stakeholders, including schools and youth, in co-creation.

Example projects:

• A study analyzing how generative AI tools impact students' reading and math skills in secondary schools.
• A project developing and testing digital wellbeing interventions for teachers and students in diverse school communities.
• An initiative exploring the effects of digital technology use on the social and emotional development of children with disabilities.

• Personnel costs for researchers, educators, and support staff
• Costs for digital tools, software, and technology platforms
• Data collection and analysis expenses
• Workshops, training, and capacity-building activities
• Travel and accommodation for project-related activities
• Outreach, communication, and dissemination activities
• Costs for involving diverse participant groups (e.g., children with disabilities, underrepresented groups)
• Project management and administrative expenses
• Development and testing of educational interventions
• Evaluation and reporting costs

All eligible expenses must be included in the lump sum budget. Only costs directly related to the project are allowed.

• Budget for this Call: 10.200.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per project: 3.400.000€

• All proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least three independent legal entities established in three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries), with at least one partner based in an EU Member State.
• Each participant must demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity according to Horizon Europe General Annexes B and C.
• The action is a Research and Innovation Action and must focus on assessing how learning environments and everyday digital tools affect key skills and competence development.
• Consortia are expected to include experts in education research, digital technology development, and stakeholder representatives such as schools or training organisations.