Children and Screens is pleased to announce a seed grant funding opportunity in conjunction with the 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress, taking place July 13-16, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to Congress participants, enabling them to further pursue innovative research and initiatives inspired by the event. This funding aims to support interdisciplinary scientific research that advances our understanding of the critical issues discussed at the Congress.
About Children and Screens Seed Grant Funding
Children and Screens’ Interdisciplinary Research Grants Program provides funding, on a competitive basis, to support cutting-edge scientific research projects that advance our knowledge and understanding of digital media and child development. These seed grants are designed to help interdisciplinary, interinstitutional research teams generate preliminary findings that will strengthen future applications from major funding traditional funding sources. The small grants are not intended to supplement existing grants.
2025 Grant Program Details:
- Projects may be funded for up to 18 months.
- Project budgets may not exceed $150,000.
- Research questions should be of national, state, and/or international relevance. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders is encouraged.
- Funding priority will be based on:
- Potential impact to the field
- Novelty in methodology or approach
- Multi-disciplinary scope that considers the needs of the whole child
- Potential of leading to a larger research initiative funded by public or private sources
- Clear connection to the themes and discussions at the 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress.
Eligibility Criteria:
- At least one principal investigator (PI), Co-PI or Co-I must have attended the 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress.
- PIs must hold a terminal degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) and a tenure-track or tenured position at a university, college, or research facility. If tenure-track is not available at the institution, the PI must demonstrate that the position is equivalent to a tenured or tenure-track role at an academic institution.
- Collaboration is required at all stages of the project. PIs and their research teams must work together throughout the entire research process.
- Projects must consist of at least two PIs and a maximum of five (5) PIs per project.
- Projects must represent at least two different disciplines.
- Teams are encouraged (but not required) to include at least one junior or early career investigator
- The ability to demonstrate the 2025 Congress in initiating or strengthening working relationship is encouraged
- A single PI may participate in a maximum of two Letters of Intent projects. However, a PI may only hold one award from the Institute at a time.
- Additional “collaborators” (e.g. consultants advisors) may be included in the project. These individuals are not required to be directly involved in the project, but may provide expertise and support as needed.
Further details, including application guidelines and deadlines will be posted in the coming months. Watch your inbox for more information.
