Delayed high school start times may help teens with ADHD and their peers perform better
Official title: Saved by the bell: A neurobiological investigation of the protective effects of delayed high school start times in youth with and without ADHD
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11298261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Florida State University will look at whether starting high school later helps students with ADHD and their classmates do better in school and feel mentally healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $624,155 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD118045-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11298261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are high school students (especially 9th graders) in Florida affected by ADHD or without ADHD who are transitioning to a later school start.
✕Less likely to help
Students in districts not implementing later start times or those not experiencing sleep-related issues may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use real school cohorts in Florida around a state law that moves start times to 8:30 am. Researchers will compare ninth graders in a early-start group (7:30 am) with a delayed-start group (8:30 am) to understand how sleep and daytime functioning relate to grades and well-being. The study will explore neurobiological and behavioral factors that might explain why later starts benefit students, especially those with ADHD. By following students over time, the team hopes to identify mechanisms and key outcomes that could guide school policy and support for ADHD students. Results could inform families, schools, and clinicians about how sleep and school schedules influence academic success and mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide school policies to improve academic and mental health outcomes for teenagers, including those with ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence suggests later start times can improve sleep and some health outcomes, but this study will clarify neurobiological and ADHD-specific effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nugiel, Tehila — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Nugiel, Tehila
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.