UW Libraries Extends Deadline to Submit Alternative Textbook Grant Proposals

University of Wyoming Libraries has extended the deadline to submit alternative textbook grant proposals for the next round of 2020-21 funding to Friday, Oct. 30.

Grants will be awarded to instructors who adopt, adapt or create new alternative textbooks or other materials for their courses. Grant awards range from $1,000 to $3,000.

Last spring, UW Libraries awarded alternative textbook grants to six faculty members to implement open educational resources (OER) in their classes this academic year. The alternative textbooks resulting from the grants are projected to save UW students more than $24,200 each semester.

The goal of the grant program is to bring down textbook costs by using or creating freely available instruction materials that support student learning, says Larry Schmidt, chair of Research and Instruction Services at UW Libraries.

“Now, more than ever, OER can help keep costs down and aid accessibility, as access to traditional print materials is sometimes limited due to the pandemic,” Schmidt says. “On average, a student will shell out $5,000 for textbooks over his or her four-year academic career; many students add this cost to their student loans. Anything we can do to bring down student cost should be explored and implemented, and UW Libraries is pleased to do its part to support cost savings for students and support their success.”

The grant award peer review committee will prioritize proposals for high-enrollment classes and those that include UW and community college partnerships.

For more information, visit https://uwyo.libguides.com/oer/grants.