Pressure is mounting on the U.S. Department of Education to release nearly $300 million in unallocated education research funding tied to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Two coalitions of college and K-12 groups, backed by a bipartisan group of senators, urged Education Secretary Linda McMahon to disperse FY25 and FY26 funds before they lapse. The senators cited about $290 million expected to lapse after Sept. 30 and criticized “closeouts of hundreds of unreviewed IES FY25 grant proposals” that allegedly left no new awards over the past year. They argued that the slowdown has contributed to declines in special education research and data gathering. IES is responsible for collecting and analyzing education assessment and outcomes data, including the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP). The department said it remains committed to statutory obligations while supporting high-quality research.