Independent researchers can seek up to $1 million per project to study how generative AI may shape the development of teenagers ages 13–17.
OpenAI is making up to $5 million available for independent studies of generative AI and teenagers ages 13–17. A project may receive as much as $1 million, and applications close on October 6, 2026. The company plans to notify selected applicants by November 13 but has not set the number of awards or guaranteed that any proposal will receive funding.
Announced on September 8, the program focuses particularly on teenagers’ social and emotional development. OpenAI says the research is intended to give product developers, policymakers and regulators stronger evidence about young people’s use of AI, possible developmental outcomes, protective measures and potential interventions.
The proposed work can examine well-being, identity, agency, relationships and social connection, along with the ways outcomes may differ by age, culture, language, population or socioeconomic setting. The call also covers technical and policy approaches that might increase benefits or limit risks. OpenAI accepts qualitative, quantitative, experimental, observational, theoretical, participatory and mixed-methods designs.
Researchers from any country may apply, although OpenAI says it will favor countries where AI adoption is significant. Applicants must be at least 18 and must have an institutional affiliation, substantial relevant experience or both. The funding is meant for research rather than commercial projects, and for-profit organizations are not currently a priority. OpenAI Group PBC will finance and administer the grants, with overhead capped at 10% of each award.
Proposals involving minors need to cover ethics review, permission from legal guardians and age-appropriate assent from participating teenagers. They must also address privacy, data security, safeguarding, responses to disclosures of harm and the research team’s relevant expertise. OpenAI says the collection of sensitive information does not automatically disqualify a study, although it may add review requirements, safeguards, specialist needs and time.
Funded teams must provide an interim update in the first quarter of 2027 and a final report describing their methods, evidence, limitations, uncertainty and supported recommendations. OpenAI would prefer a working draft within 12 months. Public dissemination is strongly encouraged but optional, so the program does not ensure that every funded study will ultimately be available to the public.
The announcement does not assume that generative AI affects every teenager in the same way. OpenAI says outcomes are likely to depend on how the technology is used, the surrounding context, individual circumstances and the support available. The grants are therefore framed as an attempt to develop evidence across varied experiences rather than establish a single conclusion in advance.
| Parameter | Term |
|---|---|
| Total budget | Up to $5 million |
| Individual grant | Up to $1 million |
| Application deadline | October 6, 2026 |
| Notification of selected projects | Scheduled by November 13, 2026 |
| Overhead | No more than 10% of the grant |
| Working draft | Preferably within 12 months |
Sources
Originally published by AI Feed: OpenAI Sets Aside $5 Million to Study AI’s Effects on Teens.
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