[Arnold Ventures](https://www.arnoldventures.org)

May 1, 2026 (Letter of Interest) | August 7, 2026 (Full proposal, by invitation)

No set minimum or maximum; funding commensurate with project scope, with proposals over $500,000 possibly requiring additional review time.

Supports rigorous causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in U.S. K-12 schools to inform policy and practice.

--- ## Description Arnold Ventures invites proposals for rigorous, causal research evaluating the impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools across the United States. The aim is to generate actionable insights for policymakers, school leaders, and district administrators about how these policies affect student academic performance, behavior, and mental health. Both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and well-designed Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) are eligible, with an emphasis on projects that can credibly estimate causal effects. Priority areas include measuring the overall impacts of cell phone policies on students and schools, understanding how these impacts change over time, and identifying policy and implementation features that drive effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to build a robust evidence base to inform real-world policy and practice decisions supporting student learning and well-being. --- ## Due Dates - May 1, 2026: Letter of Interest (LOI) deadline - August 7, 2026: Invited applicants full proposal submission deadline - June 12, 2026: Notification if invited to submit full proposal - October 16, 2026: Notification if selected for an award (proposals over $500,000 may require additional review time) --- ## Funding Amount - There is no minimum or maximum set award amount; funding is aligned with the scale and rigor of the proposed research. - Applicants should specify their requested amount, with a clear budget summary. - Proposals requesting more than $500,000 may require additional review time. - In general, funding is for research costs; support for intervention delivery costs may be considered in limited cases if necessary for the evaluation. --- ## Eligibility - Research must focus on K-12 schools in the United States. - Eligible study designs include Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and strong Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs), such as natural experiments, regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, and instrumental variable approaches. - Studies relying solely on matching or selection on observables as their primary identification strategy are not eligible. - Projects must address the academic, behavioral, and/or mental health impacts of cell phone policies. - All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of personal characteristics or institutional affiliation. --- ## Application Process - Submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) via the Arnold Ventures applicant portal by May 1, 2026, using the required LOI template. - LOIs should address policy relevance and study design, including: - U.S. relevance and potential for policy impact - Contribution to the evidence base - Clear description of intervention, research questions, and outcomes - Overview of study design and methodology - Sample size and anticipated statistical power (detailed calculations required only at full proposal stage) - Data sources and data sharing plans - Study timeline and feasibility - Commitment to research transparency (e.g., pre-registration, pre-analysis plan) - Additional required uploads with the LOI: - Study team overview (1–2 pages) - Brief CVs for key project members (1–3 pages each) - Budget request summary, outlining anticipated costs - Only applicants whose LOIs are reviewed favorably will be invited to submit a full proposal (deadline: August 7, 2026). - Questions about the RFP or process can be directed to [EvidenceTeam@arnoldventures.org](mailto:EvidenceTeam@arnoldventures.org). --- ## Additional Information - The RFP prioritizes studies with strong policy relevance and methodological rigor. - Use of high-quality administrative data is encouraged. - Research transparency, including pre-registration and public pre-analysis plans, is required. - For more details, see the [full RFP PDF](https://assets.arnoldventures.org/uploads/PDFs/AV_RFP_Cell-Phones-in-Schools.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Arnold Ventures – Grant Opportunities](https://www.arnoldventures.org/grantees#requests-for-proposals) - [Full RFP PDF](https://assets.arnoldventures.org/uploads/PDFs/AV_RFP_Cell-Phones-in-Schools.pdf) - [Arnold Ventures Contact Page](https://www.arnoldventures.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|----------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [info@arnoldventures.org](mailto:info@arnoldventures.org) | | RFP-specific questions | [EvidenceTeam@arnoldventures.org](mailto:EvidenceTeam@arnoldventures.org) |

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

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