Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Open Textbooks Pilot Program

Overview

The Open Textbooks Pilot program supports projects at eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) that create new open textbooks (as defined in this notice) and expand the use of open textbooks and course materials in courses that are part of a degree-granting program, particularly those with high enrollments. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that demonstrate the greatest potential to achieve the highest level of savings for students through sustainable, expanded use of open educational resources in high-enrollment courses (as defined in this
notice) or in programs that prepare individuals for in-demand fields.

While open textbooks often are available for general education or introductory courses, the Department seeks to promote degree completion by supporting the development of open textbooks at all levels within an academic program. This program therefore emphasizes expanding the use of existing open textbooks in general education or introductory courses, as well as developing open textbooks for several required courses in one or more high-enrollment majors to ensure that students will benefit from cost savings throughout their programs. These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1: Improving Collaboration and Dissemination.

To meet this priority, an eligible applicant must propose to lead and carry out projects that involve a consortia of institutions, instructors, and subject matter experts, including no less than three IHEs, along with relevant employers, workforce stakeholders, and/or trade or professional associations.

Absolute Priority 2: Addressing Gaps in the Open Textbook Marketplace and Bringing Solutions to Scale.

To meet this priority, an applicant must identify the gaps in the open textbook marketplace in courses that are part of a degree-granting program that it seeks to address and propose how to close such gaps.

Absolute Priority 3: Promoting Student Success.

To meet this priority, an applicant must propose to build upon existing open textbook materials and/or develop new open textbooks for high-enrollment courses or high-enrollment programs in order to achieve the highest level of savings for students.

Competitive Preference Priority: Using Technology-Based Strategies for Personalized Learning and Continuous Improvement.

To meet this priority, an applicant must propose a project that focuses on improving instruction and student learning outcomes by integrating technology-based strategies, such as personalized learning, and providing support to faculty, instructors, and other staff who are delivering courses using these techniques. 

Invitational Priority: Participation by Minority-Serving Institutions and Community Colleges.

An application from a Minority- Serving Institution (MSI) or community college that leads the activities of the consortium and serves as the fiscal agent; or an application from a consortium in which an MSI or community college is a member of the consortium but not the lead applicant.

• Estimated Number of Awards: 5.
• Project Period: Up to 36 months.