Alternative Textbook Program

The Alternative Textbook Program is an initiative for faculty interested in replacing traditional textbooks with open textbooks, library subscription materials, or other free materials. Faculty who participate in the program receive a stipend to support the transition to free course materials.

Program Guidelines

Academic Library Services is seeking applications from ECU faculty to participate in the 2025-2026 Alternative Textbook Program.
Awards are divided into three categories: Adoption, Adaptation, & Creation.

Proposals will be accepted until March 18, 2025. Awarded faculty will be notified by March 31, 2025. Faculty will be partnered with personal librarians during this period who can assist with identifying potential course materials and answering copyright questions. Additionally, summer workshops on topics like open educational resources, Creative Commons licenses, and building inclusive materials will be offered to participants.
Applicants who have participated in previous years are welcome to submit applications for other courses or to further develop their course(s) supported in earlier semesters.

 

For more information please contact scholarlycomm@ecu.edu or attend our information session on March 5th

Apply for Alternative Textbook Program Proposal

Faculty may select one of three options for this year’s program.

Option 1: Adoption, $750

In this option, faculty switch from a commercial textbook to course materials that are free for students. These materials may include open textbooks, library subscription materials, open educational resources, and other free materials.

Example projects may include:

  • Switching to an available open textbook
  • Identifying and using multiple resources in place of a commercial textbook like articles from the library’s collections, open educational resources, or government resources

Option 2: Adaptation, $1,500

This option encourages faculty to adapt course materials that are free for students. These materials may include open textbooks, open educational resources, or other open access materials with appropriate licenses.

Example projects may include:

  • Adapting an open textbook to include more local information on eastern North Carolina. This could be data, images, case studies, and more.
  • Adapting course materials to include more voices and perspectives.
  • Creating ancillary materials (test banks, practice questions, lesson plans, etc.) to compliment free course materials that you are already using
  • Combining multiple open materials into a new textbook or adding to existing open resources

Option 3: Creation, $5,000

This option supports faculty to develop entirely new and original open educational resources. Faculty teams are welcome to submit applications. The timeline for this option can extend beyond the 2025-2026 academic year, but monies for the project will only be available during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Faculty will have access to software like Pressbooks to publish their text. Faculty interested in this option are required to submit an outline of their proposed project at the time of their application. We highly recommend meeting with a librarian prior to applying for this option to go over expectations and ensure the project fits in with the timeline of the program.

Example projects may include:

Creating an original open textbook or equivalent open and online materials that is comprehensive enough to be used for the length of the class.

Eligibility

All faculty members teaching during the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply. Courses can be undergraduate or graduate classes. Additionally, they can be in person or online courses.

Program Details

New or adapted materials that are written due to this program must be deposited in an appropriate repository, like ECU’s institutional repository or OER Commons, and must include a Creative Commons license.

Faculty must provide an updated syllabus by the end of the program and are asked to complete a short assessment at the end of the program.

Funds will be transferred directly to departments via a Banner Budget Transfer. Monies may be used for supplies, student wages, professional development, copyediting, or other materials. Funds will be transferred after July 1, 2025 and must be used by June 30, 2026.

The Award Committee will evaluate proposals using the following criteria:

  • A completed application which includes a short narrative describing your project goals, student outcomes, and interest in using alternative texts.
  • Potential student impact. This may include estimated cost-savings for students or potential for increased student learning as a result of materials. If your course is covered under First Day Access we recommend including some information about how this will benefit students who are paying a fixed fee for all their semesterly textbooks.

Deadline

Proposals are due by March 18, 2025.

For more information about the program, please contact the Scholarly Communication Department at scholarlycomm@ecu.edu.

FAQs

Can multiple faculty submit an application together?

Yes! We welcome group applications. However, the award would be for the amount noted in the various options. If adapting course materials, the faculty team would receive a total of $1,500.

Can there be multiple applications for the same course but submitted by different faculty?

Yes! We will consider multiple applications for the same course from different faculty. Depending on the project and funds available, we may ask if you would be willing to collaborate together.

Can I check the availability of materials or discuss a possible project with you?

Yes! We are happy to check on availability of OER or library materials (if relevant) to give you an idea of what may be available for you to use. We are happy to discuss your project with you and how the program can support you. Please contact us at scholarlycomm@ecu.edu

I already participated in the program; can I apply again?

Yes! If you want to continue working on your course, you can apply for option 2 (Adaptation) or option 3 (Creation). Alternatively, you can submit an application for a different course

Can I still submit my course for option 1: adoption if my course is covered by First Day Access?

Yes! You can still find materials that are more affordable for students who choose to opt out of First Day Access while also building a course that fits your students’ needs and course objectives instead building your course around one textbook.