PLANNED OPENING DATE: 12 May 2026 – DEADLINE DATE: 23 September 2026, by 17:00 

The Maltese organization Lumens.life is looking for project partners for the call “Impact of digital tools outside school and for communication on educational outcomes and mental health” (HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04) under Cluster 2.

The project aims to investigate how digital tools used outside the school environment affect educational outcomes and the mental health of children and young people. The central objective of this initiative is to investigate the complex interactions between the use of digital tools for leisure—such as social media, video gaming, and smartphones—and the educational outcomes and psychological well-being of primary, secondary, and higher education students.

Projects should provide policymakers, educators, and citizens with a solid understanding of how these activities influence concentration, motivation, and mental health, while offering rigorous evidence to inform regulations on device usage both within and outside the school environment. Beyond risk analysis, the research should explore how digital leisure activities can contribute to the development of transversal skills, such as problem-solving and digital literacy, defining operational guidelines to balance benefits with potential drawbacks like “digital distraction” and addiction.

From a methodological standpoint, proposals must adopt an interdisciplinary approach (sociology, neuroscience, psychology, and pedagogy) through experimental or quasi-experimental methods, working in close synergy with educational authorities and institutions.

For further information or to express interest in collaborating, you can contact Eduardo at eduardo@lumens.life or consult the Funding & Tenders Portal page.