ED Grant Priorities: What Are They and How Do They Impact Grantee Proposals

As of late May 2026, the Department of Education (ED) has issued seven supplemental final priorities and definitions for current or future discretionary grant programs. Along with the requirements established by Congress under an ED competitive grant program statute, the ED secretary can also identify a set of priorities that supplement congressional requirements. The priorities do not apply to formula programs such as Title I. Priorities typically change from administration to administration, as they aim to focus the agency’s grantmaking decisions on goals important to the current president.

 

The administrative supplemental priorities are as follows:

• promoting evidence-based literacy;

• expanding education choice;

• returning education to the states;

• advancing artificial intelligence in education;

• promoting patriotic education;

• expanding career pathways and workforce readiness; and

• creating meaningful learning opportunities.

 

What exactly do each of the supplemental priorities mean, and how will they impact ED program recipients? This white paper aims to discuss each of these priorities and provide more information as to how they apply to the agency’s discretionary awards.