The Screen Use and Addiction Research Fund (‘Screen Fund’) aims to support critical research exploring the impacts of problematic screen use on young peoples’ development and learning. The department is seeking research that aligns with its strategic goals and research priorities, and which supports an equitable and outstanding education system.

Research proposals are sought from researchers at Australian public universities and research organisations.

Applications will be competitively assessed against our selection criteria. We will look favourably upon proposals that incorporate one or more of the following elements in their research design:

• through research, develops useful interventions or tools to assist education settings
• proposes a worthwhile contribution to the screen use evidence through novel research
• foregrounds student voice.

Comprehensive information is included in the Guidelines.

Statements of Opportunity

Research project proposals must address a themed Statement of Opportunity:

1. We require research that investigates the effects of screen use for learning in schools and at home on students’ learning and behaviour outcomes.
2. We require research that investigates the effects on students of problematic and addictive screen use outside of school hours.

More information.

Eligible organisations

The department is seeking research project proposals from:

• Australian public universities
• selected research institutions
• selected non-government organisations.

Partnerships between organisations are welcome.

Grant descriptions

Researchers and research organisations are invited to apply for the following grant opportunities:

Leveraging: Extending national research grants

Through Leveraging grants, the department will partner with grant-funded researchers who are presently investigating screen-related topics with relevance to education and/or child development. The department will co-contribute funding to increase the applicability of project outcomes/outputs to the Screen Fund context.

Successful projects will be eligible for up to 20% of their total funding, or $200,000 (whichever is lower) for up to 2 years.

A Leveraging Grant recipient must be:

1. the lead researcher of a post-award project with a completion date beyond 31 December 2024, or subject to departmental consultation and post-award status
2. ethics approved, or likely to receive ethics approval, from a NHMRC-registered human research ethics committee
3. State Education Research and Partnerships (SERAP) approved or able to obtain SERAP approval, and
4. engaged in research that addresses one or more Statements of Opportunity.

Priority: Screen Fund Priority Projects

Through Priority grants, the department will fund novel, multi-disciplinary research projects that align with our screen use research priorities. Successful projects will support the translation of research into policy improvements and new policy initiatives.

Successful projects will be eligible for up to $500,000 for up to 2 years.

A Priority Grant recipient must be:

1. ethics approved, or able to receive ethics approval, from a NHMRC-registered human research ethics committee
2. State Education Research and Partnerships (SERAP) approved or able to obtain SERAP approval, and
3. engaged in research that addresses one or more Statements of Opportunity.

Scholarships: Screen Fund Scholarships

The department will provide Australian public universities with the opportunity to award Screen Fund Scholarships of up to $10,000 to PhD candidates undertaking research in screen-related topics.

Screen Fund Scholarships will be administered by universities in the form of a top-up to Commonwealth Research Training (RTP) stipends.

‘Screen Fund Scholars’ must:

1. be receiving RTP funding throughout 2025
2. be enrolled at the university receiving the Scholarship fund
3. be engaged in research that addresses one or more Statements of Opportunity
4. have, or be able to obtain, a working with children check clearance (as needed), and
5. receive department approval of their project.

Key dates

Further information

For any questions about the Screen Use and Addiction Research Fund, please contact screenfund@det.nsw.edu.au.

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