Rationale for the Grant

Affordable alternatives to the high cost of textbooks and the need to expand educational opportunities through Open Educational Resources (OER) are significant measures in eliminating barriers to student success and improving enrollment and retention at Andrews University. Based on this objective, the James White Library (JWL) proposes an OER Grant Initiative to encourage, support and incentivize OER adoption, adaptation and creation. JWL will foster this initiative through small grants to participating instructors to support creating and adopting Open Educational Resources for teaching and learning from an Adventist faith-based perspective. Up to $5,000 will be available for distribution to participating instructors to develop OER materials for their courses. The grant covers three models:

• Adopt an existing open resource (open textbook and other OER course components such as homework assignments, lab manuals or other supplementary materials). Grant allocation: $1,000
• Adapt existing resources by mixing or revising open textbooks and other OER course components such as homework assignments, lab manuals or other supplementary materials. Grant allocation: $1,500
• Create a new open resource and other supplementary course materials (particularly for a course with an expensive textbook). Grant allocation: $2,500

Eligibility of Applicants and Activities Eligible for Funding
Andrews University faculty, other full-time teaching positions, teams, departments/programs and adjuncts may submit proposals for funding at the course and/or section level (i.e., all sections of a program of instruction or section/s under the applicant’s control). Graduate teaching assistants can apply under the direction of faculty/staff. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 as determined by mode (adopt, adapt, create) and the project’s needs.    

Timeline

• Introduction to grant at Faculty Institute—Aug. 16, 2024
• Call for proposals—Aug. 16, 2024
• Deadline for submission—Oct. 21, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
• Review of applications begins—Oct. 23, 2024
• Awardees notified—Nov. 29, 2024

Final report and program evaluation

• Fall semester implementation—Feb. 27, 2026
• Spring semester implementation—June 29, 2026

Visit the library website for detailed information: http://libguides.nbqifa.com/oer.

Scan to apply for OER grant:

For further information, please contact Margaret Adeogun at adeogun@nbqifa.com or 269-471-3156.