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The Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative

Open/Alternative Resource
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Applications open

Grant Application

The grant application is open year-round with two review dates; reviews occur once ever fall and spring semester. The next reviews of grants will occur: 

  • Friday, December 3, 2021
  • Friday, April 15, 2022

Submit your grant application. 

Course Fee Application

If you are already using exclusively Open/Alternative content in your course(s) consider applying for the course fee. This application is also open year round with reviews every fall and spring semester; the next reviews for the course fee will occur: 

  • Friday, September 3, 2021
  • Friday, February 4, 2022

Submit your course fee application.

About the initiative

Since 2013, the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative has saved K-State students nearly $5 million by providing access to high-quality, affordable digital textbooks.

Textbook costs have risen three times the rate of inflation creating a financial burden for students. But with K-State’s initiative, stuexcited about the idea of saving your students moneydents pay only $10 per class to access their course materials online. Not only do students save money, but they receive immediate access to customized content for their classes.

How the initiative works

The Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative provides grants to K-State faculty and instructors to help them develop or adopt alternatives to traditional print textbooks. Students can then look for the open/alternative textbook icon in the course schedule to find classes using these affordable resources.

Grants are funded through donor support and a portion of the $10 fee paid by students. In the last five years, nearly $500,000 invested in the program has yielded nearly $5 million in student savings.

Apply for a grant

All K-State faculty and instructors who teach a course at K-State can apply for an award ranging between $2,000 and $5,000. There are two application and award cycles each year.

Apply for the course fee

Faculty/instructors interested in having the course fee applied will need to show they use no-cost educational resources. The fee can be applied to one or multiple sections of the same course, and can be applied to any number of a faculty/instructor's courses. Find more information about the course fee process and requirements here. 

Submit your Semester Fee Data to ensure your fee approved courses receive the course fee. 

Are you you excited about the idea of saving your students money, but don’t know where to start? We are here to help! Contact any of the people and teams listed below and they will help walk you through the process.

Last modified date: 27 July 2021 - 2:58pm