This is a bite-sized introductory OER grant intended for individual recipients who are new to the world of OER. You will be locating and evaluating OER without a commitment in using discovered resources in your field. You will be expected to complete the OER Basics course, spend time searching and evaluating existing OER, and submit a report based on your findings.

Why Opt for a Research Grant?

Getting started on any OER project can be daunting, even if you have taught with one in the past or even created your own. It takes time to locate resources, evaluate them, modify them as needed, and then update your course schedule to use new resources. Choosing a Research Grant is a good option for those that are:

• New to OER as a way to ease in to the process.
• Preparing for a large, future project that may want to survey what is available and make plans.
• Not satisfied with their current textbook but undecided between OER or another traditionally published textbook.
• Surveying existing OER to provide a recommendation to their department chair or the curriculum decision maker.
• Seeking supplementary material to enhance a textbook already in use.

Preparing Your Application

Different grant applications will require different information (the Research Grant is intended for individual recipients that will be searching for existing open resources in your field), but in general you will need the following prepared:

• Name, contact info, and department for all participants.
• Course name and abbreviation for the modified course(s), along with the average annual enrollment and sections taught or impacted.
• Project summary that includes:
  • Motivators behind the project.
  • Detailed budget breakdown and funding rationale.
  • Outline of an anticipated timeline, including an expected implementation semester and any milestones throughout the project.
  • How the new resources will improve your course and support course learning objectives.
• A letter of support for your project, signed by your Dean or Department Head.