OpenAI's AI and Teen Development Research Grant Program 2026 — Up to $1 Million Per Project (Global, Nigerian Researchers Eligible)

If you're a Nigerian researcher, academic, or institution working in child/adolescent development, well-being, human-computer interaction, or AI impacts, OpenAI's new research grant programme is a genuinely major, global opportunity worth knowing about.

OpenAI has announced a new program to fund research proposals that explore the intersection of AI and teen development. Submissions are open today through October 6, 2026, 11:59 PM PST. A panel of internal researchers and experts will review applications on a rolling basis and notify selected proposals on or before November 13, 2026.

This is a direct, official OpenAI initiative — funded and administered by **OpenAI Group PBC — not a third-party or aggregator listing.

What Is This Grant Program About?

OpenAI welcomes proposals that can deepen understanding and generate evidence relevant to current and emerging discourse, including:

- How teens use generative AI and how different patterns of use relate to developmental outcomes

- Potential impacts of AI use in teens' lives

- The individual, social, cultural, and technical factors that shape the effects of AI in teens' lives

- Technical interventions, safeguards, and design choices that can increase benefits or keep teens safer

- How effects may differ across ages, developmental stages, populations, cultures, languages, and socioeconomic contexts

That last point is genuinely significant for Nigerian and African researchers — OpenAI is explicitly interested in how effects differ across cultures, languages, and socioeconomic context which opens real space for research grounded in Nigerian or broader African realities.

How Much Can You Get?

OpenAI will award individual research grants of up to $1 million, totaling up to $5 million across the programme.

- Maximum per project: $1 million

- Total programme pool: $5 million

- Overhead/indirect costs: Up to 10% of each project's grant can support this

Is This a Grant or a Loan?

This is a research grant, not a loan. There's no repayment obligation — funding supports research work directly, including the involvement of students, graduate students, or post-docs.

Who Can Apply?

- Must be 18 or older

- Must be affiliated with a research institution or organization, and/or have significant experience relevant to child or adolescent development, well-being, human-computer interaction, AI impacts, or a closely related field

- OpenAI is seeking to fund research rather than for-profit initiatives — for-profit organizations will not be prioritized at this time

- Multiple institutions can collaborate on a single proposal

What You Need Before Applying

1. Institutional Affiliation or Relevant Experience — Be ready to demonstrate your connection to a research institution/organization, or your significant relevant experience in the field.

2. A Clear Research Proposal — Aligned with one or more of the topic areas listed above.

3. A Realistic Project Timeline — OpenAI has a strong preference for projects that can deliver results in a shorter timeframe, with a working draft (suitable for discussion at a small conference) expected within 12 months of receiving funds.

4. A Non-Profit Research Framing — Since for-profit initiatives won't be prioritized, ensure your proposal is framed clearly as research, not commercial product development.

How to Apply for OpenAI's AI and Teen Development Research Grant

Step 1 — Review the Full Programme Announcement

Read the full details at: https://openai.com/index/teen-development-research-grants/

Step 2 — Confirm Your Eligibility

Ensure you're 18+, have relevant institutional affiliation or experience, and your proposal is research-focused rather than commercial.

Step 3 — Develop Your Research Proposal

Align your proposal with the listed topic areas — usage patterns, developmental impacts, safeguards, or cross-cultural/socioeconomic differences.

Step 4 — Visit the Official Application Portal

👉 https://openai.smapply.org/prog/openais_ai_and_teen_development_research_grant_program/

Step 5 — Register and Complete Your Application

Submit your proposal through the SurveyMonkey Apply-powered portal.

Step 6 — Submit Before the Deadline

Applications close October 6, 2026, 11:59 PM PST.

Step 7 — Await Review

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by a panel of internal researchers and experts.

Step 8 — Selection Notification

Selected proposals will be notified on or before November 13, 2026. Note: OpenAI states it will not provide status updates for individual applications that are not selected.

Where to Apply

Official Application Portal:

👉 https://openai.smapply.org/prog/openais_ai_and_teen_development_research_grant_program/

Full Programme Announcement:

👉 https://openai.com/index/teen-development-research-grants/

Important Notes

- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — earlier, well-prepared submissions may have an advantage, rather than waiting until close to the October 6 deadline.

- You will not receive feedback if not selected — OpenAI has explicitly stated this upfront.

- For-profit organizations are not being prioritized — if you're affiliated with a commercial entity, frame your proposal clearly around genuine research objectives.

- For questions, contact: collaborativeresearch@openai.com

Tips for a Strong Application

Lean Into Cross-Cultural Relevance — Since OpenAI explicitly wants to understand how effects differ across cultures, languages, and socioeconomic contexts, Nigerian/African-context research proposals may fill a genuine gap in their evidence base.

Propose a Realistic, Shorter Timeline — Since OpenAI prefers projects delivering results faster, with a working draft due within 12 months, scope your proposal accordingly rather than proposing a multi-year study.

Emphasize Safeguards and Practical Outcomes — Proposals addressing technical interventions or design choices that improve safety may align strongly with OpenAI's stated interests.

Consider Institutional Collaboration — Since multi-institution proposals are explicitly allowed, partnering with another research body may strengthen your application's credibility and capacity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Applying without institutional affiliation or clearly demonstrated relevant experience.

- Framing your proposal as a commercial/product initiative rather than genuine research.

- Proposing an unrealistically long project timeline.

- Missing the October 6, 2026 deadline.

- Expecting individual feedback if your proposal isn't selected — this won't be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerian researchers apply?

Yes — this is a global programme with no stated country restriction, and OpenAI explicitly welcomes research on how effects differ across cultures, languages, and socioeconomic contexts.

How much funding is available?

Up to $1 million per individual project, totaling up to $5 million across the programme.

Do I need to be affiliated with a university?

You need either institutional/organizational affiliation, or significant relevant experience in child/adolescent development, well-being, human-computer interaction, AI impacts, or a related field.

Can for-profit companies apply?

For-profit initiatives will not be prioritized — this is aimed at genuine research.

When is the deadline?

October 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

Will I be notified if I'm not selected?

No individual status updates will be provided for applications that aren't selected.

Where do I apply?

👉 https://openai.smapply.org/prog/openais_ai_and_teen_development_research_grant_program/

Official Links

Application Portal:

https://openai.smapply.org/prog/openais_ai_and_teen_development_research_grant_program/

Full Programme Announcement:

https://openai.com/index/teen-development-research-grants/

Contact:

collaborativeresearch@openai.com