Until recently, I was employed as a senior technical assistance consultant with a large education research nonprofit. My job was to take the research that was generated by my researcher-counterparts and to apply it in the field with schools, districts, and state departments. We were two sides of the same coin; I was the practitioner and they were the academics.
We were largely funded by federal grants from the Department of Education (ED) and its research arm, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). We operated numerous national data centers, evaluated projects funded by Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grants and Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants, and partnered with regional education leaders to conduct research that would directly impact states and communities.
Then came 2025. A new administration came in at the federal level and the budget cuts started to pour in. A large number of our grants and contracts were cancelled and with that came mass layoffs. The same thing happened to many of the other nonprofits in our field as well as university researchers who used the same funding sources to conduct their work.
The job market has been flooded with education researchers who are looking for opportunities. So, now that this has happened, we need to consider the situation in which we find ourselves in. These reductions are not just a bureaucratic adjustment; they have profound implications for universities, nonprofits, independent researchers, and ultimately, students and educators.
The Scope of the Budget Cuts
Though it’s not been officially disclosed, IES has faced substantial funding reductions, with reports indicating the cancellation of approximately $1 billion in federal contracts for education research. These cuts primarily impact:
- University-based education research centers
- Longitudinal studies on K-12 student achievement
- Research on special education and disability services
- Studies on higher education access and affordability
- Data collection efforts that inform national education policy
The Immediate Consequences for Education Researchers
1. Reduction in Research Grants and Fellowships
One of the most immediate impacts of these cuts is the shrinking availability of research grants and fellowships. Many education researchers, particularly early-career academics, rely on federal funding to conduct studies that inform best practices in education. Without these grants, researchers struggle to sustain long-term studies or launch new projects that address emerging challenges in the education system.
For example, the National Center for Education Research (NCER) and the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) have historically provided crucial funding for research on evidence-based interventions for students with disabilities. With fewer grants available, progress in special education research may slow significantly, leaving many educators without updated strategies to support their students.
2. Job Losses and Hiring Freezes in Academia
Federal research grants often fund the salaries of research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members working on education studies. With the decline in funding, many universities and research institutions are implementing hiring freezes, eliminating positions, or shifting to short-term contracts. This shift contributes to job instability in the academic sector, making it harder for young scholars to establish careers in education research.
3. Disruptions to Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal studies that track student progress over several years are particularly vulnerable to budget cuts. These studies require consistent funding to maintain data collection efforts, retain research teams, and ensure that findings are properly analyzed and disseminated. When funding is cut mid-study, researchers are often forced to scale back or prematurely conclude their work, leading to gaps in critical data that policymakers and educators rely on.
For instance, studies tracking the impact of early childhood education programs or interventions for at-risk students may be halted, leaving policymakers without the necessary evidence to support effective education reforms.
The Ripple Effect on Education Policy and Practice
Education research doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it directly influences classroom practices, curriculum development, and policy decisions at the federal, state, and local levels. Without robust, well-funded research, education policy risks being shaped by outdated or incomplete data.
1. Policymakers Lack Data-Driven Insights
Without current research, policymakers may rely on anecdotal evidence or politically driven narratives rather than empirical data. For example, debates over school choice, standardized testing, and teacher evaluation policies require rigorous research to determine their impact. Reduced federal funding means fewer comprehensive studies to guide these decisions, increasing the likelihood of ineffective or even harmful policies being implemented.
2. Schools and Educators Miss Out on Evidence-Based Strategies
Many classroom interventions, from literacy programs to behavioral management techniques, stem from federally funded research. When funding declines, fewer new studies are conducted, and existing research may become outdated. This stagnation means that teachers may lack access to the latest best practices, ultimately impacting student learning outcomes.
3. Equity Gaps Widen
One of the primary goals of education research is to identify and address disparities in student achievement, access, and resources. Federal grants have historically funded studies on closing the achievement gap, supporting English language learners, and improving outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds. With budget cuts, fewer resources are available to investigate and address these inequities, potentially deepening the divide between privileged and underprivileged student populations.
What Happens to All the Education Researchers?
As I mentioned earlier, my role in the education research field was more aligned with that of a practitioner. From here, I can pivot to other education practitioner work like school administration, university teaching, or independent consulting. My research-based colleagues have seen their field shrink tremendously, however. If education researchers want to stay in the field of education research, they might struggle to find consistent work.
Alternative Funding Sources
Some potential solutions include:
1. Private Sector and Philanthropic Grants
Organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and local education nonprofits provide grants for education research. While these funds help bridge the gap, they often come with specific research priorities that may not align with broader educational needs.
2. University and State-Level Funding
Some universities are allocating more internal resources to education research, but this often means prioritizing projects that align with institutional goals rather than addressing national education challenges. Similarly, state education departments may fund localized research, though these efforts lack the broad reach of federally funded studies.
3. Crowdsourced and Community-Based Research Initiatives
Some researchers are turning to innovative funding models, such as crowdsourcing research dollars through platforms like Kickstarter or Patreon. Additionally, community-based participatory research models are gaining traction, where local schools and districts collaborate with researchers to study and address education challenges.
Conclusion
The ongoing cuts to federal education research funding pose a significant threat to the future of education policy and practice in the U.S. Without sustained investment, the field risks losing critical insights that shape equitable and effective education systems. Right now, there is an influx of strong education researchers who are looking for ways to apply their skills and many are having trouble finding them.
As we navigate these challenges, one thing is clear: the need for high-quality, data-driven education research has never been more urgent.
