Alternative Textbook Grant

Eligibility

All full-time, OU-Norman instructors are eligible to apply for an Alternative Textbook Grant. OU-Tulsa instructors may apply as long as their department is based out of the Norman campus. OU College of Law instructors and graduate teaching assistants are also welcome to apply.

Unfortunately, OUHSC instructors are not eligible.

Those without faculty status must inform their supervisor, department chair, or director they are applying for this grant.

All projects implemented as a result of an Alternative Textbook Grant should be put into practice during the summer, fall, or spring semesters following the grant award. Applications submitted in 2025 will be for courses taught in academic year 2025-2026.

If you have received a grant in the past, you may apply again for a different course or to make changes to course materials used in the initial grant.

How to Apply

The application is currently closed. OU Libraries has awarded the 2025 ATG cohort. Read the new article to learn about 2025 grant recipients.

Expectations

Alternative Textbook Grantees will collaborate with the Open Initiatives and Scholarly Communication department on their projects. Expectations for each party are as follows:

Grantees:

• Implement course materials that are cost-free to students by the spring semester.
• Attend the Alternative Textbook Grant orientation.
• If using third-party, copyrighted material, obtain the permission of the copyright owner to use the material or conduct a fair use evaluation to determine whether its use is appropriate.
• If applicable, license original content created as part of an ATG with an open license (e.g., Creative Commons), excluding those with "No Derivatives" clauses.
• If applicable, grant the University the non-exclusive right to reproduce, translate, and/or distribute the work worldwide in electronic format. Under this license, the University may translate the submission to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation and keep more than one copy for purposes of security, back-up, and preservation.
• If applicable, consult and implement Accessibility and Disability Resources Center guidance for creating accessible documents when creating new materials.
• Submit a syllabus for the designated semester to the Open Initiatives and Scholarly Communication department that declares that course materials are free to students.
• Respond to periodic communications from OU Libraries regarding ongoing use of the alternative material.

Open Initiatives and Scholarly Communication Department:

• Distribute awarded funding to grantee ($250 – $2500).
• Assist Grantee in the search for and/or adoption of open educational resources and library materials, upon request.
• Provide an Alternative Textbook Grant orientation for grantees.
• Provide copyright and licensing (e.g., Creative Commons) resources, upon request.