Navigating FY 2025 Department of Education Grant Priorities

The U.S. Department of Education has released its FY 2025 Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Expansion Grant competition, representing one of the most significant federal opportunities for organizations seeking to scale proven education innovations. With an estimated $253 million in funding and awards up to $15 million over five years, this competition sets a high bar for evidence, scalability, and sustainability.

Key Priorities for FY 2025

Absolute Priority – Evidence-Based Literacy (Required):Projects must focus on promoting evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading. Literacy is positioned as the foundation for all learning, with an emphasis on scalable solutions for high-need students.

Competitive Preference Priorities (Optional but Advantageous):

• Returning Education to the States (up to 10 points): Projects led by SEAs, Tribal entities, or consortia of these agencies.

• Expanding Education Choice (High-Impact Tutoring, up to 5 points): Projects that expand access to individualized or small-group tutoring, a proven accelerator of learning.

Selection Criteria Highlights

Applications will be judged on four main areas:

1. Significance (15 points): How innovative the project is and its relevance to national challenges.

2. Strategy to Scale (35 points): Feasibility of scaling nationally, the strength of partnerships, and plans to disseminate.

3. Quality of Project Design (20 points): Clear, measurable, ambitious outcomes and a strong logic model.

4. Quality of Evaluation (30 points): Independent, rigorous evaluation designs that can meet What Works Clearinghouse standards and provide replication-ready evidence.

What This Means for Prospective Grantees

Success in this competition requires more than a good idea. Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong evidence of effectiveness (prior rigorous studies, preferably experimental designs).

• Scalability and sustainability (a business plan and cost-effectiveness strategy for replication beyond the grant period).

• Partnership alignment with SEAs, LEAs, or Tribal entities to meet federal preferences and build credibility.

• Independent evaluation capacity to produce actionable evidence that meets WWC standards.

Recommendations

For organizations considering applying:

• Find partners in education research who understand both rigorous methods and the local context of your schools and communities.

• Engage SEAs and LEAs early—not just as signatories but as active partners shaping the project.

• Work with experts who know the federal landscape, including evidence standards, cost-matching rules, and evaluation requirements.

At Nova Eventus ECM, we specialize in all three. Principal Consultant Eric Mason brings 30 years of experience in program evaluation, federal education research, and district leadership—helping organizations design projects that meet local needs while navigating the complexities of federal funding.