The Institute of Education Sciences has signaled a restart of its competitive research grant programs after an extended period of minimal activity. The agency announced plans to issue fiscal 2027 grants beginning this fall, with the first wave launching in October and subsequent rounds scheduled for December. This movement comes after the agency largely halted grant competitions when the current administration took office, canceling or delaying previously announced fiscal 2025 competitions and launching no new competitions for fiscal 2026.
The new grantmaking approach reflects organizational changes at the agency. IES plans to focus on specific research priorities including STEM, literacy, low-incidence disabilities, and workforce transitions through fiscal 2029. Rather than the traditional model where researchers propose studies independently, the agency will now organize grantees into topic-specific “hubs” designed to create more cohesive research portfolios. This structure aims to generate coordinated bodies of knowledge addressing education policy and practice challenges more efficiently, according to IES Acting Commissioner Matthew Soldner.
Despite the restart announcement, significant funding questions remain unresolved. Approximately $224 million in fiscal 2025 funding that was withheld for over a year and released in May faces expiration by the end of September if unspent. Additionally, more than $450 million in fiscal 2026 funds have yet to be apportioned to the agency, which has roughly 13 months to obligate those resources. The sluggish spending pace has prompted concern from lawmakers and education advocates, with 19 senators from both parties urging acceleration in May, and a coalition of education groups filing a lawsuit in June challenging the withholding of funds.
The agency has faced significant operational challenges, having lost 161 employees during the administration’s first two months and canceling peer review contracts. Education researchers expressed cautious optimism about the restart, with some noting potential benefits from better coordination between researchers and policymakers through the hub structure. However, questions persist about implementation details, staffing capacity to administer the grants, and the status of other IES programs like the Regional Educational Labs and Comprehensive Centers, which have received minimal funding releases from the Office of Management and Budget.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI