August 2025

AERA News

A Message to AERA Members from New Executive Director Tabbye Chavous
I’m thrilled to have joined AERA this month as your new executive director and grateful for the warm welcome I’ve already received from so many of you. Read more

Annual Meeting Call for Submissions Sparks Enthusiastic Response, Notifications to Be Sent November 7
The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting call for submissions, which closed August 1, drew an enthusiastic response from the education research community. Read more

Legal Developments Send Mixed Signals on Outlook for Federal Research and DEI Programs
Recent court rulings have sent conflicting signals about the future of federal funding for research and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Read more

Nominations Open for 2026 AERA Awards—Submit via AERA APPLY Portal by October 15
AERA invites nominations for the 2026 AERA awards, which recognize excellence in education research. Read more

AERA Appoints New Members to Standing Committees
AERA President Maisha Winn recently appointed new members to AERA standing committees, which support and guide Council on key education research issues and advise AERA on programs, initiatives, and activities. Read more

AERA Preparing to Launch New Association Management System
In October, AERA will launch a new association management system designed to support member engagement and key organizational functions. Read more

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AERA Nominations Sought

AERA Nominating Committee Seeks Recommendations for 2026 AERA-Wide Elected Officers—Deadline: September 9
The AERA Nominating Committee seeks recommendations of candidates for AERA-wide offices. Read more

Nominating Committee for AERA SIG Executive Committee Seeks Recommendations—Deadline: September 9
The Nominating Committee for the AERA Special Interest Groups Executive Committee seeks recommendations for well-qualified candidates to run for two positions as member-at-large in the 2026 election. Read more

Nominating Committee for AERA Graduate Student Council Welcomes Recommendations—Deadline: September 9
The AERA Graduate Student Council Nominating Committee welcomes recommendations of well-qualified individuals as potential candidates to run for GSC office in the 2026 election. Read more

AERA Calls—Submissions Open August 1

AERA-NSF Grants Program Dissertation and Research Grants—Deadline for Proposals: October 6
                Register for September 10 Informational Webinar

AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Series—Deadline for Submissions: October 8

AERA Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop—Deadline for Applications: October 27

AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research—Deadline for Applications: November 10
                Register for September 25 Informational Webinar

AERA Fellows Program—Deadline for Nominations: November 13

Research Policy and Funding News

Education Department Opens Comment Period for Civil Rights Data Collection After Earlier Withdrawal
On August 7, the Federal Register published a notice from the Department of Education of the opening of a 30-day public comment period for the 2025–26 and 2027–28 school year collections for the Civil Rights Data Collection. Read more

Executive Order Targets Federal Grantmaking, Expands Political Oversight and Termination Authority
On August 7, President Trump issued an executive order, “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” that significantly alters the review and administration of federal grants, including research funding. Read more

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2026 Bill Rejecting Administration’s Proposed Cuts to IES and NIH
On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill on a 26–3 vote. Read more

White House Directs Education Department to Collect New College Admissions Data
On August 7, President Trump issued an executive memorandum directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to expand the data collected on college admissions. Read more

AERA Publications Calls

Call for Proposals: Review of Research in Education (RRE) Volume 50 (2026) “Systematic Review Methods for Synthesizing Evidence from Diverse Approaches to Research to Inform Change Efforts in Complex Educational Systems”—Deadline: September 15

Call for Editors: Review of Research in Education 2027, 2029

Beyond AERA

Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.

The Association for Education Finance and Policy is holding a free webinar on “Applying to Dissertation Fellowships” on September 16 as part of the BRIDGE Webinar Series: Boosting Research in a Dynamic Governing Environment. AERA is a partner in this collaborative initiative. 

AERA in the News

Lawsuit saves massive reading experiment
APM Reports, August 21

A window into America’s high schools slams shut
APM Reports, August 21

School absence ‘most damaging’ in transition period
Tes Magazine, August 12

More AERA in the News

AERA Highlights is published by the American Educational Research Association monthly to inform members and others interested in education research about the latest news and developments in AERA and in the field.

Executive Director: Tabbye Chavous
Editors: Tony Pals and John Neikirk
Contributors: Nathan Bell, Marla Koenigsknecht, Audrey Poe, Christy Talbot, Martha Yager