Education Department Spent 99% of Expiring Funds by Front-Loading Grants, Raising Concerns

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) obligated 99.54 percent of its $768 million budget by the fiscal year-end deadline, largely through 'front-loading' existing grants. This practice, also observed at the National Institutes of Health, involves providing multi-year funding upfront. Experts express concern that this approach, while ensuring funds are spent, may not be the most effective for education research and could impact future grant competitions.