Education research is an indispensable public good—one that turns evidence into impact for every learner, in every classroom. Today, the field stands at a pivotal moment. The vitality of the field depends on a strong, inclusive scholarly community and on sustained partnerships among the federal government, universities, industry and business, and philanthropic organizations. Read about why education research matters and turns evidence into impact.
Federal education research and data are under attack. AERA is speaking out, alerting association members, and coordinating with the scientific community to advocate for protecting the integrity of federal research and data. AERA continues to closely monitor and respond to administration efforts to dismantle the federal role in collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, impartial, and nonpartisan education research and data. Follow the links on this page to learn more and get engaged.
AERA signed a Census Project letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressing concerns about an indefinite delay in the release of data from the American Community Survey (ACS) that the Census Bureau announced on August 4, 2026. (September 4, 2026)
AERA submitted comments to the National Science Foundation urging a delay of implementing proposed updates to the NSF Proposal/Award Information Guidance on Financial Assistance until the proposed White House Office of Management and Budget Regulation for Financial Assistance is final. (August 24, 2026)
AERA submitted comments in response to a Request for Information from the National Institutes of Health seeking input into future NIH efforts to measure and reward scientific impact. (August 19, 2026)
AERA joined 82 organizations on a letter to House and Senate Appropriations leaders to urge Congress to stop the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from implementing its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance, or any substantially similar policy. (July 30, 2026)
More Comments and Letters
IES Resumes Research Grant Competitions for FY 2027 AERA Highlights, August 2026
OSTP Releases “Science: A New Golden Age” Report and Recommendations for Future Federal Research Funding AERA Highlights, August 2026
House and Senate Education Committees Take Divergent Approaches to Education Department Interagency Agreements AERA Highlights, August 2026
House and Senate Advance Continuing Resolutions to Extend Current Funding Through December AERA Highlights, August 2026
AERA Urges Protections for Research in Federal Grantmaking AERA Highlights, July 2026
AERA Continues Fight Against NSF Grant Terminations AERA Highlights, July 2026
AERA Urges Members to Weigh In on Proposed Federal Grantmaking Rule That Could Reshape Research Funding AERA Highlights, June 2026
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 LHHS Bill With Deep Cut to IES, Modest Increase for NIH AERA Highlights, June 2026
Nation’s Report Card to Add New State-Level Assessments Under Expanded Schedule AERA Highlights, May 2026
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 CJS Bill Affecting NSF AERA Highlights, May 2026
Reimagining IES Report Offers Recommendations for “Relevance and Renewal” AERA Highlights, March 2026
NSF Updates: Reorganization of Directorates, NSB Meeting, Director Nomination AERA Highlights, March 2026
House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Science of Reading AERA Highlights, February 2026
NIH Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans No Longer Classified as Clinical Trials AERA Highlights, February 2026
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule on “Schedule Policy/Career” Positions in Federal Government AERA Highlights, February 2026
More AERA Policy & Advocacy News
As the primary advocate of education research in the nation’s capital, AERA monitors federal legislation, policy, and regulations affecting education research, and identifies opportunities to influence the development and protection of sound science policy. Read more
AERA urges the White House Office of Management and Budget to withdraw its proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, warning that the rule would undermine the integrity of federal scientific review, create uncertainty for researchers, and restrict the ability of education researchers to conduct and share federally funded research.
Explore timely insights from AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous on the critical role of rigorous education research in addressing pressing challenges in education—and the importance of sustained federal research investments:
In a “Why Social Science” post for the Consortium of Social Science Associations, AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous explains how education research informs evidence-based solutions and why funding it matters. Read more
View full infographic on how data access helps students and schools succeed.