Office of the Secretary of Higher EducationYouth mental health is a critical priority of the Sherrill Administration. Over the past decade, a growing number of children and adolescents have reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. These rates coincide with the rapid growth of social media, which has changed how people communicate, learn, and socialize.
The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Health, announced the availability of funds to establish a social media research center at a four-year public institution of higher education in New Jersey. The purpose of the Social Media Research Center will be to carry out collaborative and interdisciplinary research to understand social media use, to mitigate the negative impacts of social media, and to promote healthy and responsible social media use.
The deadline for eligible institutions to apply is 5 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026. Additional information, including instructions on how to apply are available on the OSHE finance webpage or via this notice.
Questions about this notice may be submitted via email to Stefani.Thachik@oshe.nj.gov with a copy to Sara.Lipsett@oshe.nj.gov through 5 p.m., August 24, 2026.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey