Kim Swain

Federal financial assistance (such as grants, co-operative agreements, loans, and other assistance provided by the federal government) and priorities for energy initiatives have shifted as the current administration implements its legislative priorities.

On June 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) reversed its March 28 decision to end the liquidation period for certain federal grant programs. ED directed all states and outlying areas to resume liquidating previously approved Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

The revised 2 CFR Part 200 regulations, effective October 1, 2024, and the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative have made federal grant program evaluation crucial. An evaluation is now essential for demonstrating accountability and measurable outcomes in relation to federal grants. This first article of a three-part series on program evaluation for federal grantees will explore the evolving regulatory environment of federal grant management.