The first session, on Thursday, Aug. 27, addressed implementation of Education’s fiscal 2027 grantmaking priorities. The second, on Friday, Aug. 28, addressed the department’s fiscal 2028 budget priorities and request to the president.

The Education Department says the sessions were conducted by its Office of Indian Education and facilitated by the department’s Tribal Consultation Official. The stated purpose was to obtain meaningful input from American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities and to inform implementation within the current interagency framework.

Two separate comment deadlines

Written comments remain open on the two topics, with separate deadlines:

• Comments on fiscal 2027 grantmaking priorities are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 28, 2026.
• Comments on fiscal 2028 budget priorities are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 29, 2026.

The deadlines are not interchangeable. The 2027 topic concerns how the department implements future grantmaking priorities. The 2028 topic concerns development of a budget request to the president.

What the consultations do — and do not — decide

The consultations are an input process, not a final funding decision. They do not by themselves finalize grant awards, grant rules, appropriations or the president’s budget.

The Education Department’s consultation notice says the departments are seeking tribal views within the current interagency framework. A February 2026 Education Department announcement described broader arrangements among Education, Interior and Labor under which Interior and Labor would provide certain services, technical assistance and program-administration support while Education retained statutory and policymaking authority over covered programs.

That distinction matters for tribal governments and eligible Native education organizations tracking future awards. Comments may influence how Education implements grant priorities and develops its budget request, but they do not guarantee funding or determine what Congress ultimately appropriates.

Why the process is being watched

The Interior Department describes tribal consultation as part of the federal government’s nation-to-nation relationship with tribal governments. Its framework emphasizes tribal sovereignty, self-governance and collaborative policymaking.

The consultations also come as federal education grant administration is changing. Education Week has reported on new fiscal 2027 research-grant plans, uncertainty around available research funding and the Education Department’s decision to continue sending most K-12 formula funds through its own grants system while some program responsibilities move to other agencies.

Earlier Associated Press reporting documented tribal leaders’ concerns that they had not been adequately consulted over changes affecting Native education programs. That prior reporting provides context for why the timing and substance of the 2026 consultation process are being closely watched.

The Education Department has not posted a public summary of what tribal leaders said during the Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 sessions or announced a specific policy change, funding increase or other outcome from them.

What to watch next

Readers should watch for an official consultation summary or transcript, revised grant notices, fiscal 2028 budget materials and any subsequent implementation decisions by the Education and Interior departments.

For tribal governments and eligible Native education organizations, the immediate practical dates are Sept. 28 for fiscal 2027 grantmaking comments and Sept. 29 for fiscal 2028 budget-priority comments. The federal fiscal-year labels refer to budget and grant cycles and do not necessarily match the school year used by local districts.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Education: Tribal Consultations and Engagement Sessions
• U.S. Department of the Interior: Tribal Consultations
• Education Week: Education Department Will Keep Sending Most K-12 Funds Through Its Own System
• Associated Press: Tribal Leaders Say Feds Failed to Consult Over Education Department Changes