In an effort to promote no-cost course material alternatives for students at Texas Tech University, the University Libraries and eLearning are offering an Open Educational Resources (OER) Adoption Incentive Grant. The purpose of this grant is to encourage the adoption and creation of OER in TTU academic courses during the 2025-2026 academic year. The funds awarded through the Open Educational Resources Adoption Incentive Grant may be used to support the development and adoption of OER in the faculty’s learning environment. The funds awarded to successful applicants of this grant will be used according to the applicants’ proposed budget and award levels will range from $1,000-$5,000. 

For any questions regarding the Open Educational Resources Adoption Incentive Grant, please contact the Online/OER Librarian, libraries.oer@ttu.edu. 

Why Should You Apply?

Have you noticed:

• An increase in the price of your required course textbook?
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, textbook prices have increased 4.7% since 2020. 
• Students have not or do not purchase the required textbook(s) for your course?
  • According to the “Fall 2020 Currently Enrolled Student Survey” conducted by Texas Tech University Libraries, 36% of TTU students surveyed did not purchase the required textbook.
• Students have dropped your course because of the cost of a textbook or access code?
  • 48% of students surveyed for a “Student Public Interest Research Group” stated that the cost of textbooks affected how many and which classes they took 
• Students do not have the required materials the first day of class?
  • Research estimates that the proportion of students who have the required course materials on the first day fell to 29% in 2020, an 11 point decrease in three years.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the success and retention of your students may be affected by the rising cost of textbooks and other required course materials. According to the “Currently Enrolled Student” survey completed in fall 2020, more than 4,000 Texas Tech students chose not to purchase textbooks or had to get additional full or part-time work as a result of textbook costs. Rising textbook costs have become a significant barrier to the success of many students at Texas Tech University. The goal of the Open Educational Resources Adoption Incentive Grant is to encourage instructor experimentation and innovation in finding new, better, and less costly ways to deliver learning materials to students by using open educational resources. 

The funds awarded through the Open Educational Resources Adoption Incentive Grant may be used as one-time compensation to support the development and adoption of OER in the learning environment. The funds awarded to successful applicants of this grant will be used according to their proposed budget. A proposed budget could include projected hours spent locating appropriate OER, cost of materials needed to redesign a course if TTU materials are not used, digital media production, projected hours spent creating OER, anticipated time spent consulting with the OER Librarian, or other costs directly related to content development. These grant funds are taxed as a lump sum payment.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION FORM

EVALUATION RUBRIC

BUDGET TEMPLATE

• Please email completed budgets to libraries.oer@ttu.edu