Huo Early-Career Fellowships – Grant Application Information
Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology on Brain Development, Social Behaviours and Mental Health in Children and Young People
Background and motivation
A long-standing interest of HFF has been the effect and impact of usage of digital technology on young people. The rapid rise and use of this technology has permeated much of society and transformed the way many humans interact.
There has been a broad array of research efforts that mostly have involved relatively crude measures of the amount of usage of digital technology (e.g. total screen time) and the observed effects and impact on health. Despite these efforts, the full implications – both positive and negative – on human physiology, psychology, behaviour, well-being and mental health remain unclear.  
We believe there is an opportunity to help advance the research and the field of knowledge in this area, both by strengthening existing as well as creating new methods and approaches to better model and unpick the complexities of this topic.
HFF is establishing a research portfolio on the Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology on Brain Development, Social Behaviours and Mental Health in Children and Young People.
Funding opportunity
The ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ invites applications for early-career fellowships to support talented and promising postdoctoral researchers on the path to independence. These fellowships are to allow early-career researchers to design, plan and deliver their own innovative research project, and to make the transition to independent researcher.
Proposals should be tackling key questions within the broad topic of the effects of usage of and exposure to digital technologies on brain development and function (including physiological responses), social behaviour and interactions, and mental health of children and young people.
Awarded research grants in this area can be held at colleges, universities and research institutes in the UK and in the US. We are keen to support multi-disciplinary work. We also want to train the next generation of exceptional scientists in this rapidly evolving field.
Remit, definitions and expectations
- We are interested in research on the effects of usage of and exposure to digital technologies on brain development and function (including physiological responses), social behaviour and interactions, and mental health of children and young people.
- Study designs should attempt to understand causal pathways and directions.
- Digital technology typically means digital devices, systems, tools and resources that generate, process and store data. For this call, digital technology refers to devices, systems, tools and services used by children and young people. For example, this would include smart phones, tablets, computers/laptops, gaming consoles, online games, the internet, social media, other digital environments, instant messaging, video-sharing, etc.
- The research should focus on children and/or young people within the age range of 7-24 years old.
- We encourage the use of existing population (epidemiological) cohorts and data sets. We also encourage precision and deep-dive studies within these existing cohorts and data sets.
- We encourage randomised approaches to studying the effects of the use of digital technologies on the brain, mind, physiological responses, and behaviour of children and young people. This may include the use of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) methodology.
- Given the scarcity of longitudinal evidence, we encourage work that involves follow-up and repeated observations.
- We will consider mechanistic studies of smaller, well-defined participant groups.
- Public and Community Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PCIEP): proposals are expected to involve and engage young people (children, adolescents and/or young adults) in the study design and during the delivery of the proposal.
- We are keen to support multi-disciplinary work to help advance the research and the field of knowledge. Applications are welcome from researchers from all relevant fields, which may include but is not limited to neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, computer science, social science, economics. We welcome applicants with training in one or more of these or related disciplines.
- We want to support the training of the next generation of exceptional scientists in this rapidly evolving field.
- Studies should produce new knowledge that contributes to the understanding of the occurrence, distribution, causes, mechanisms and impacts (e.g. social, behavioural, physiological, health and well-being, economic) of the effects of the usage of digital technology on children, adolescents and young adults.
Examples of research we want to support
We have identified various scientific areas and approaches that are of particular interest to the Foundation:
- Pathways and mechanisms of the effects of the usage of or exposure to digital technology on brain development and function, social interactions and behaviour, and on mental health.
- The effects of usage of or exposure to digital technology on key processes such as arousal, attention, learning, reward system, resilience, sleep.
- How different developmental time windows (childhood, adolescence, early adulthood) might involve different neurodevelopment processes that can give rise to different susceptibilities.
- Developing and using new tools for more accurately measuring exposure (i.e. usage information) for different forms of digital tech and environments to reduce bias and improve precision to look at causal pathways and relationships.
- Sufficiently powered studies, and those that take appropriate account of potential confounding effects.
- Work that involves data-sharing partnerships with digital tech companies to have access to better data.
- Combining disciplines and approaches.
- Using the latest methods, such as machine learning/AI to help analyse data to make better inferences/predictions that will generalise.
Work that is out scope
- We will not support the establishment of new population (epidemiological) cohorts.
- We will not consider applications that look at the development and/or deployment of digital technology (to include, but not limited to, web-based programmes, mobile applications, applications of generative AI, chatbots, extended reality, wearable devices or video games) to deliver treatment for mental health problems.
- We will not consider applications that look at the development and/or deployment of digital technology to deliver educational learning.
- Proposals including randomised controlled trials or similar methodologies should not include the testing of drugs, medical treatments, medical/healthcare/well-being devices or diagnostic procedures.
- We will not consider applications on clinical service provision/reorganisation.
- Studies should not include work involving animals.
- We will not support systematic reviews.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant field, which may include but is not limited to neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, computer science, social science, economics.
Applicants must have completed their PhD in January 2022 or later i.e. at the time of award be within four years of completing PhD. Allowances will be made for part-time work, career breaks (for example, parental leave or long-term sickness) and other significant amounts of time spent outside research (for example, clinical training); if you completed your PhD before January 2022 and would like to discuss an allowance, please contact science@huofamilyfoundation.org
Applicants must not have their first permanent/ tenure-track position. If your institution has both academic and research fellow tracks, they are considered equivalent.
The applicants must be based or propose to be based at colleges, universities and research institutes in the UK or the US. The college, university or research institute should have charitable status or a nonprofit status such as 501(c)(3).
Applicants must identify a sponsor at your host institution. The sponsor must hold an established post (or an honorary academic appointment) at the organisation for the duration of the award. The sponsor will be expected to guarantee the space, facilities and resources you’ll need from the start date to the end date of your award and ensure the research environment will support you to complete your project. The sponsor should provide a letter of support.
Applicants must also identify a mentor for the period of your award. The mentor should have a track record in training and mentorship, and support and guide you on how to manage your application and grant, develop your research career and progress with your personal development. The mentor should provide a letter of support. Your sponsor can also be your mentor.
Co-applicants are not possible on this application.
Collaborators can be included in this application and award.
Summary of key terms for the awards
Fellowships are for up to a three-year term.
The fellowship amount is up to £130,000 / US$169,000 per year.
The fellowship should begin between January and March 2026.
Fellowships will be paid in instalments annually in advance.
The fellowship is intended to support (or contribute) to the fellow’s salary (including on-costs/fringe) and to provide research costs for them to develop their own research project.
Fellowship funds may be used by the fellow for any expense judged supportive of the fellow’s research including staffing, lab expenses, equipment and access charges, and professional travel.
On overhead/indirect costs, up to 12.5% of the total grant is permitted for US-based work, while UK-based work should be based on direct costs only, given HFF funding would be eligible for UK government charity research (QR) support. 
During the award, once per year, the fellow and their host institution must submit both a substantive report (detailing what is being done) and a financial report (detailing expenditure and an explanatory narrative).
Award timeline
30 January 2025 – call announced with grant and application information
24 March 2025 – grant system opens for applications (link will only become active on 24 March)
23 May 2025 by 23.59 (UK time), 18.59 (Eastern), 15.59 (Pacific) – deadline for submission of applications
Summer 2025 – applications considered by external peer-review
12 September 2025 – applications short-listed for the funding committee panel
15–29 September 2025 – if shortlisted for the funding committee panel, applicants respond to peer-review comments
16–17 October 2025 – shortlisted applications considered by funding committee panel
w/c 17 November 2025 – funding decisions released
December 2025 – award agreements issued and first annual payment made
January 2026 – start of award grants
Programme contact
HFF Science Team science@huofamilyfoundation.org
How to apply
Applications must be submitted via our grants management system (link will only become active on 24 March).
To view a copy of the application questions and guidance, please click here.
The deadline for proposal submission is 23 May 2025 by 23.59 (UK time), 18.59 (Eastern time US), 15.59 (Pacific time US).
Please note a senior colleague with relevant authority at your host institution will have to sign off your application before submission. Please plan carefully with your relevant colleague to meet the deadline.
Assessing the application
We will review your research proposal, skills and experience, and research environment.
- The research proposal – to be competitive, your research proposal should be bold, innovative, novel and high quality.
- Your skills and experience – we will consider your previous research outputs and contributions to the research community, and how you will develop these during the award.
- Your research environment – how your selected host institution will support you to deliver your research programme and develop as a researcher.
Your application will be sent to external peer-reviewers.
If shortlisted for the funding committee panel, you will have the opportunity to respond to these comments. The comments will be emailed to you by 15 September. Your response must be returned to science@huofamilyfoundation.org by 29 September 2025 23.59 UK time, 18.59 Eastern time US, 15.59 Pacific time US.
If shortlisted, your application, the peer-review reports, and your responses to the peer-review comments will be considered by a funding committee panel on 16 and 17 October 2025.
Final funding decisions will be released w/c 17 November 2025.
FAQs
General
Is the application deadline firm?
Yes.
Can I submit a paper application?
No. HFF requires that all applications for this programme be submitted electronically via our online grants portal (link will only become active on 24 March; we use the Flexigrant grants management system). Paper applications will not be accepted.
Do I need institutional sign-off to submit a proposal?
Your application must be endorsed/approved by a senior figure in your organisation. This can be the Head of Department/School/Faculty, the Administrative Head of the Department/School/Faculty, the Head of the Finance or Research Office, etc. This sign-off must be submitted via the HFF grants portal (link will only become active on 24 March). During the application process, you should invite this individual as a participant. They should sign up to the grants portal, access and review the application, and then complete their contribution in the final section of the application. Please plan accordingly with your relevant colleague to submit the approved proposal by the deadline.
Can I change my application once submitted?
No. Once your application is submitted, it cannot be changed.
Can I receive a copy of my submitted online application form?
You can print and/or download as a PDF a copy of your application. The buttons for printing or downloading a copy are within the summary section of your application.
Can I add papers that have been accepted?
Yes. These should be emailed to science@huofamilyfoundation.org with your application reference number in the subject line so that it will be added to your file.
What is the page limit on the research proposal?
The research proposal is limited to five pages including figures and tables. All applicants must stay within the set five-page limit or the application will be rejected.
What about figures, tables, graphs, diagrams, pictures included in my research proposal? Are they included in the five-page limit or can they be included separately?
All figures, tables, graphs, diagrams, pictures, etc., included in your research proposal count toward the five-page limit for the plan.
Should letters of collaboration be included in the application?
No. Collaborations can be described in the five-page research proposal – we will not accept individual letters of collaborations.
Does the reference list/bibliography count towards the five-page maximum research proposal?
No, the reference list/bibliography is in addition to the five-page limit. However, graphs, charts, and diagrams do count toward the five-page maximum.
Is there a font or margin requirement for the research plan?
Use standard Arial 11- or 12-point type for the text, and no smaller than 9 to 10-point type for figures, legends, tables, and diagrams. The text must be single-spaced, with 2.5 cm/ 1 inch or larger margins on all sides.
Is there a content requirement and page limit for the CVs of applicants, etc?
The CV should outline a short narrative including skills and experience, top 5 to 10 publications, existing grants, and other relevant items like IP.
The CV of any applicant, mentor, sponsor, etc, is limited to two pages each. All applicants, etc, must stay within the set two-page limit or the application will be rejected.
Is there a font or margin requirement for the CVs of applicants, etc?
Use standard Arial 11- or 12-point type for the text. The text must be single-spaced, with 2.5 cm/ 1 inch or larger margins on all sides.
Starting, accessing and completing your application
How do I begin?
All applicants, co-applicants, sponsors, mentors, senior institutional sign-off must register with the HFF grant system (link will only become active on 24 March). The lead applicant should invite any co-applicants, sponsors, mentors, senior institutional sign-off and other contributors through the grant system.
Is there a confirmation email when I submit?
A confirmation email is sent upon submission. If you do not receive this email to your inbox, please check your spam filter and/or junk folder. Additionally, the proposal will be in the submitted section the ‘My applications’ on the HFF grant portal.
How do I access the full application?
After registering, when you log in you will see ‘Available grants’ and ‘My applications’ on the left-hand side of the screen. You can begin and access your draft application via these tabs respectively.
Do I need to complete a full application in one session?
No, you can start an application, save at regular intervals, and can return later to complete the application. You can access your draft application in the ‘My applications’ tab.
Are extensions given?
No extensions will be given. If you have any difficulties, please email science@huofamilyfoundation.org. We recommend registering early and submitting with ample time for corrections prior to the deadline. You will not be able to submit after the deadline time has passed.