As of July 2025, the U.S. Department of Education has announced its Verified 2025 supplemental grant priorities, emphasizing federal discretionary funding support for literacy, equitable access, and education innovation.
These priorities apply to all upcoming grant competitions and are designed to guide applicants seeking funding through programs such as EIR, IES, and others. This guide outlines the major funding areas and how institutions can align proposals accordingly.
2025 U.S. Education Discretionary Grants – New Federal Priorities for Literacy, Equity, and Innovation
- What Are Discretionary Grant Priorities?
- Key 2025 Priority Themes
- 📢 Why It Matters – Aligning Proposals with Grant Priorities Increases Funding Likelihood
- Which Programs Are Affected?
- Who Can Apply?
- How to Prepare a Priority-Aligned Application
- Summary of 2025 Discretionary Grant Priorities
- 📘 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are Discretionary Grant Priorities?
Discretionary grants are competitive funding opportunities administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Each year, the Secretary releases updated priority areas that guide which proposals will be favored during grant competitions.
For 2025, these priorities help define funding themes for dozens of programs including Education Innovation and Research (EIR), Institute of Education Sciences (IES), and more.
Key 2025 Priority Themes
In May 2025, Education Secretary Linda McMahon published the revised list of priorities:
- Early Literacy & Foundational Reading Skills
- Improving Outcomes in Rural and Underserved Areas
- Evidence-Based Interventions and data-informed practices
- STEM and Career Readiness with equity emphasis
- Supporting Mental Health & Well-being in Schools
These priorities directly influence which projects are funded through federal education grants in FY2025–26.
📢 Why It Matters – Aligning Proposals with Grant Priorities Increases Funding Likelihood
Grant applications that align with the 2025 priorities are more likely to be scored highly and awarded funding. For instance, programs that improve early literacy in low-income elementary schools now receive scoring advantages under EIR and IES.
Applicants are encouraged to clearly cite priority alignment in their narratives and budget justifications.
Which Programs Are Affected?
The following major grant programs are subject to 2025 priority scoring:
- EIR – Education Innovation and Research
- IES – Institute of Education Sciences Grants
- Title I and II Discretionary Demonstration Grants
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- Literacy for All Program (pilot expansion)
Each program notice on Grants.gov includes which priorities apply.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on the grant program, but typical applicants include:
- State and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs)
- Public and charter school districts
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
- Nonprofit organizations with education missions
- Community-based and tribal organizations
Applicants must demonstrate capacity, financial controls, and program alignment with the stated priorities.
How to Prepare a Priority-Aligned Application
To improve competitiveness in 2025, applications should include:
- Clear reference to 2025 federal priorities
- Evidence-based rationale for proposed interventions
- Evaluation metrics tied to priority outcomes
- Partnerships that target rural, underserved, or high-need populations
Many programs offer technical assistance webinars and priority-specific FAQs.
Summary of 2025 Discretionary Grant Priorities
- Focus Areas: Literacy, equity, STEM, rural support, school wellness
- Announced by: Secretary of Education (May 2025)
- Impacts: EIR, IES, Title Programs, OSEP, and more
- Action: Align grant applications with one or more priorities to increase award chances
📘 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do the priorities apply to all grants?
No. Each grant program specifies which priorities are applicable. Applicants should read each notice carefully on Grants.gov.
Is there a special application form to reference a priority?
No special form is required, but priority alignment should be clearly explained in the narrative and work plan.
What’s the benefit of priority alignment?
Proposals aligned with priorities may receive extra scoring points or preference in tie-breaker decisions.
Can a project address more than one priority?
Yes, addressing multiple priorities can strengthen your application, especially when well-integrated into the project design.
Are there deadlines tied to the priorities?
No. Priorities are in effect throughout the year and apply to all relevant grant competitions as posted.