Summer Sprint for Zero Textbook Cost

The Summer Sprint Program will provide instructors with a stipend, the expertise of librarians and instructional technologists, and the opportunity to learn alongside their peers. Fellows are required to adopt low-cost course materials. They can use a variety of solutions to do so, including Open Educational Resources (OER), library eBooks and databases, and instructor-created materials. 
 
Not sure if there are existing materials to support your project? The Open Textbook Library and the Pressbooks Directory are good starting points for finding existing OER.  Please note that projects involving an open educational resource will be ranked higher.
 
Please send questions about the sprint or this application form to hjnorris@iu.edu  

 

Apply Now  

Any instructor of record at IU Bloomington is eligible to apply.  

Other questions can be directed to Open Education Librarian Haley Norris (hjnorris@iu.edu). Applications are due March 25, 2025.   

 

Benefits and Compensation  

Fellows will be given a stipend ranging from $500- $1500 based on the scope of their project. Fellows will apply based on their interest in and vision for making their course materials low cost for students. Tiers will be determined during acceptance consults. Course materials must be as close to zero cost as possible.   

 

$500 adoption of library licensed materials

$1000 OER adoption 

$1000 Indiana core transfer course to zero cost course materials

$1500 course coordinator adopts library materials and/or OER for all sections 

$1500 ancillary materials to open 

 

Expectations   

All fellows are required to:  

  • Replace an existing, traditional textbook with an alternative that is low- or no-cost   
  • Participate in in-person workshops May 20th and 21st  (in Bloomington) 
  • Schedule and log consultations with subject librarian, copyright program librarian, instructional designers, etc. 
  • Submit a final version of their ACM project or OER to an appropriate online resource or repository  (if appropriate)

 

Evaluation Criteria  

Finalists will be notified by mid April. Members of the Summer Sprint team will use the following criteria to assess applications and choose finalists:    

  • Clarity of the plan to move from a traditional textbook to zero cost course materials  
  • Interest in serving as an ambassador of affordable course materials at IU   
  • Number of students impacted by the fellow’s work (applications that impact multiple sections will be prioritized)   
  • Estimated cost savings for students impacted   
  • Vision for how the project will serve underserved student populations  

 

Goals of the Summer Sprint   

The goals are to:   

  • Lower the cost of college for students, contributing to their retention and progression  
  • Make course material access on the first day of class a reality for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status  
  • Encourage the development of alternatives to high-cost textbooks by supporting the adoption, adaptation, and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER)  
  • Support instructors in navigating the variety of affordable course materials solutions available and aggregate instructor supports across campus into one space  

 

Interested in Affordable Course Materials Generally?   

If you’re interested in making your course materials more affordable, finding OER, or learning about course material creation tools but don’t want to do the Fellowship, please still reach out! Contact Haley Norris (hjnorris@iu.edu ) for general assistance with course materials.   

Contributors