The Iowa Department of Education Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund has awarded Cowles Library and other members of the Iowa Private Academic Libraries (IPAL) consortium a $254,650 grant to support open education resource (OER) initiatives at private colleges and universities across the state of Iowa.

As a qualifying IPAL member, Drake University can apply for funds from this grant. The grant is structured to award projects ranging from OER adoption ($500 stipend) to creation of new OER (stipend up to $10,000), with options in between for adaptation of OER, creation of support materials, and course redesign. Collaborative proposals are welcome, and partnering with faculty at other Iowa colleges is encouraged but not required.

Choosing OER for course materials can save students significant amounts of money and ensure that all students have the learning resources needed for success in the class. Drake librarians are available for consultation to help you find OER for your courses.

For more information, and to note your interest, see https://researchguides.drake.edu/OER/grant2021.

— Jill Gremmels, Dean, Cowles Library