US federal funding perspective
What does the current situation portend?
An ad-hoc group of advocates for special education in the US that identifies itself as Sustaining Education Research announced a Webinar about “opportunities and risks” associated with applying for grant support in the current situation. According to the announcement, the event will occur via Zoom on 25 June 2025 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (link follows).
I publish this notice with a bit of trepidation. I would prefer to go pubic with more than my trust in a source. It would be great to have corroboration—I think “triangulation” is a term some readers will recognize—of the group’s positions and actions. With that caveat, let me press ahead.
Here’s a clipping from an email message that I received from an individual member of the group 11 June 2025:1
Beyond the Basics: Decoding the New Federal Funding Landscape
Are you considering applying for your next federal grant? The world of federal funding is shifting. New priorities, evolving rules, tighter timelines, institutional and organizational risks to consider, and what is sure to be a busy summer with new competitions mean that the strategies that worked yesterday may not work today. For nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, understanding this new landscape isn't just an advantage—it's essential.
Join us for a crucial webinar where we will cut through the noise and provide a clear roadmap to navigate the changing dynamics of federal grants. We'll move beyond the basics to deliver actionable insights that can make sure you are prepared.
In this webinar, you will learn:
How to Prepare for What May Happen to your Current Funding: As grants continue to be cancelled, we will make sure you are prepared for what could happen and how you can be prepared to respond.
The New Normal of Federal Funding: Get a high-level overview of the current trends and new funding priorities you need to be aware of right now.
Risk Assessment Demystified: Learn what factors to consider as you assess the risks of accepting federal funding.
What Every Applicant Must Know: We'll cover what to think about as you develop a competitive application.
Who Should Attend:
Executive Directors & C-Suite Leaders
Grant Writers & Development Professionals
Program Managers & Directors
University Research & Sponsored Programs Staff
Finance & Compliance Officers
Date: June 25, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f8calgElSYG9HsxLISSkSQ
I appreciate the efforts of this—lovely organized?—group of advocates that has began meeting in early 2025. This is not the only accomplishment of the group. As I understand it, they are essentially lobbyists who advocate for our kids and our discipline. Yay! I hope we can learn more about it and its works.
Some members of the SET community participate in this group. Other SET readers may want to ask respectful questions. Maybe we could get additional data about the group’s structure and activities!
Meanwhile, those of us who have interests in research may be able to benefit the
Please understand that I did not modify the content or formatting of this text; it is what I got in an e-mail message.