The Trump administration has begun taking concrete steps toward closing the U.S. Department of Education—a move with major implications for grants, funding streams, and regulatory oversight. With new agency partnerships announced and accelerated NOFO timelines disrupting FY2025 grant cycles, many education leaders are asking what comes next. This post breaks down what’s happening, what’s being proposed, and what to watch as the federal landscape shifts.

ED has announced seven new priority areas under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, including AI innovation, civil discourse initiatives, and short-term workforce training. This quick overview explains the funding categories, allocations, and deadlines so higher-ed institutions can prepare competitive proposals for the 2025 grant cycle.