October 2025

The federal government has been in a shutdown since October 1 after Congress did not pass appropriations or a continuing resolution (CR) for FY 2026 funding. This affects key agencies that support education research.

As of press time, the House remains in recess after passing a CR on September 19 that would have funded the government through November 21. The Senate, which requires 60 votes to advance the bill, has not passed the House measure due to near-universal opposition from Senate Democrats. A Democratic-led CR that would have extended expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies was also rejected.

The core federal agencies that support education research—the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Institutes of Health (NIH)—are all currently operating under plans for lapsed appropriations.

• Department of Education
   
  • More than 2,000 employees are currently furloughed
  • There are no new grantmaking activities
  • Grantees can draw down funds from ongoing awards
  • The Department’s development and implementation of guidance, technical assistance, and regulatory actions are on pause unless required for otherwise funded activities
     
• National Science Foundation
   
  • More than 1,000 employees are furloughed; however, rotators that are funded outside of NSF appropriations continue to work
  • Electronic systems for proposal preparation and submission (i.e., Research.gov, and Grants.gov) remain open
  • The Awards Cash Management Service and the Invoice Processing Platform remain open for the submission and processing of valid payments for recipients and contractors
  • Grant recipients can continue work under their NSF awards given the extent funds are available, and the period of performance of the grant or cooperative agreement has not expired
     
• National Institutes of Health
   
  • 22 percent of staff has been retained while the rest has been furloughed; with primary attention on the Clinical Center, retained staff focus on human safety, property protection, presidential appointees, and essential implied work
  • Basic and translational research by NIH scientists has been paused

On October 10, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced reductions-in-force (RIFs) at federal agencies. Media reports indicate that more than 460 employees at the Education Department were affected. On October 14, the department announced an additional 250 layoffs within the Office of Civil Rights. Together, the cuts represent a 30 percent reduction in the department’s remaining staff.

In addition to the Office of Civil Rights, the latest RIFs include employees in the offices of Elementary and Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, and Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. IES, which experienced massive staff reductions earlier this year, does not appear to be impacted in this round. Nearly 90 percent of the Education Department’s employees remain furloughed.

On October 15, a federal judge in California ordered a temporary halt to the RIFs in response to a lawsuit filed by two labor unions—a move that the Trump administration is expected to challenge.

“This shutdown underscores the severe disruptions to federal investments that, together with universities and philanthropic groups, advance groundbreaking education research,” said AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous. “AERA will continue to track developments and advocate for rebuilding the federal infrastructure essential to innovative research and to effective education practice and policy.”