Open Textbook Pilot Program
🏛 Office of Postsecondary Education
Can you apply?
This grant is for colleges, universities, and state higher education agencies creating open textbooks. Eligible applicants include any institution of higher education, consortiums of schools, and nonprofit organizations that meet IRS 501(c)(3) status. Projects must develop new open textbooks or expand use of existing ones in high-enrollment degree courses or fields with strong job demand. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify.
Schools from any state may apply. The focus is courses in degree-granting programs serving many students. Institutions must demonstrate the project will achieve measurable cost savings for students through sustainable open textbook adoption.
This grant is for colleges, universities, and state higher education agencies creating open textbooks. Eligible applicants include any institution of higher education, consortiums of schools, and nonprofit organizations that meet IRS 501(c)(3) status. Projects must develop new open textbooks or expand use of existing ones in high-enrollment degree courses or fields with strong job demand. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify.
Schools from any state may apply. The focus is courses in degree-granting programs serving many students. Institutions must demonstrate the project will achieve measurable cost savings for students through sustainable open textbook adoption.
Program description
The Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Open Textbook Pilot Program (OTP) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Secretary of Education (Secretary). The purpose of the OTP program is to support projects at eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) or State higher education agencies that create new open textbooks 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. This pilot program emphasizes the development of projects that demonstrate the greatest potential to achieve the highest level of savings for students through sustainable, expanded use of open textbooks in high-enrollment courses or in programs that prepare individuals for in-demand fields.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- Community College
- HBCU
- HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution)
- Private University
- Public University
Details
This grant is for colleges, universities, and state higher education agencies creating open textbooks. Eligible applicants include any institution of higher education, consortiums of schools, and nonprofit organizations that meet IRS 501(c)(3) status. Projects must develop new open textbooks or expand use of existing ones in high-enrollment degree courses or fields with strong job demand. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify.
Schools from any state may apply. The focus is courses in degree-granting programs serving many students. Institutions must demonstrate the project will achieve measurable cost savings for students through sustainable open textbook adoption.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Institutional Commitment Letters
- Letters of Support from Faculty/Departments
- Proof of Nonprofit Status (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Postsecondary Education
- 📧 OTP@ed.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.116 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$50,000,000
-
$10,000,000
-
$8,000,000
-
$7,972,036
-
$7,959,963
-
$7,844,905
-
$7,800,000
-
$7,578,694
-
$7,319,134
-
$7,299,868
Top States by Funding
- AL 4 awards $70.7M
- CA 12 awards $48.1M
- TX 10 awards $43.1M
- NY 7 awards $30.1M
- GA 6 awards $26.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Any accredited institution of higher education, state higher education agencies, and nonprofit organizations can apply. Nonprofit applicants must provide IRS 501(c)(3) documentation or equivalent state nonprofit certification.
What projects are fundable?
Projects that create new open textbooks or significantly expand use of existing open textbooks in high-enrollment courses. Priority goes to programs preparing students for in-demand fields with strong cost-savings potential.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required. Your institution does not need to provide matching funds.
How competitive is this program?
Competition is moderate to high. Only $7 million is available for a national pool. Strongest applications demonstrate significant student cost savings and sustainable implementation strategies.
What is the funding level?
Awards typically range from $1.5 million to $2 million per project. This is multi-year funding for textbook development and adoption initiatives.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your narrative on student cost savings. Include data on current textbook expenses and projected savings per student from open alternatives.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment to open education. Include supporting letters from faculty, department chairs, and senior leadership pledging adoption.
- Show sustainability beyond the grant period. Explain how open textbooks will remain in use after federal funding ends through library support, faculty governance, or curriculum requirements.
- Target high-enrollment courses strategically. Select courses with 200+ students per term or programs training for high-demand fields like healthcare, skilled trades, or technology.
- Plan for scale and replication. Design your project so other institutions can adopt your open textbooks and implementation model without major modification.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they focus only on textbook creation without demonstrating real adoption at scale. Lack of measurable cost-savings data and weak sustainability plans after grant funding ends are common rejections. Applicants underestimate the institutional commitment needed—strong letters of support from faculty and administration are critical to competitiveness.
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