UK Libraries is now accepting applications for the Open Educational Resources Grant Program, known formerly as the Alternative Textbook Grant Program. The application window is open from February 1 through March 31, 2024 for projects to be completed by December 2025.
The grant program encourages the adoption and creation of open educational resources (OER) for use in UK courses. OER are class materials – including textbooks, articles, podcasts, videos, and more – without copyright restrictions that are free for anyone to use, share, or revise. Because of the flexibility enabled by open licensing, OER can be adapted and combined to suit the specific needs of a course. They also provide opportunities to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion in course materials.
Available to students at no cost, OER are crucial to providing equitable access to higher education by eliminating the financial burden of traditional commercial textbooks. A key component in UK Libraries’ affordability initiatives, the OER Grant Program program has impacted thousands of students since its launch in 2016 by leveraging just over $100,000 in grant funds into over $1.5 million in student savings.
The 2024-25 cycle marks an intentional shift in scope for the program, which will welcome a vastly expanded range of project types and sizes. While projects must focus on the adoption or adaptation of existing OER, or the creation of new OER, funds are available for projects as varied as:
Applicants may also seek funds to continue a project begun in a previous grant cycle.
This cycle also marks the beginning of tailored, dedicated project support from Affordable Course Content Librarian Stephen Krueger. Available throughout the duration of the project, this support can include:
Submissions are welcome from all academic disciplines. Applicants must be full-time UK instructors who will be teaching a course between August 2024 and December 2025.
For in-depth information on eligibility, timelines, the application process, and project requirements, please visit our Call for Proposals page. There, potential applicants can also find the selection committee’s rubric and a copy of the submission form that may be used for planning purposes.
The Libraries will offer two OER 101 workshops during the week of March 4. These sessions will provide background information on OER, the impact of rising textbook costs, and the many ways UK Libraries can support faculty in using OER.
The workshops are open to all interested users. Please register at the following links:
Potential grant applicants are also welcome and encouraged to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Krueger before submitting their final proposal.
For any additional questions about the program or the application, please contact Krueger at stephen.krueger@uky.edu.
