DI2 Accelerator Award

The benefits of OER are:

• Expanded access to learning: OER are accessible by anyone from anywhere, at any time, as often as needed.
• Academic distinction and excellence: OER can be tailored to meet classroom needs, addressing content gaps while acquiring a wider audience through community-based research and practice.
• Less expense for students: OER substantially reduce the cost of course content.
• Equity, diversity, inclusion: OER are easily modified to enhance accessibility, reflect local issues, and incorporate student perspectives.

• Applicant has a WashU faculty, staff, or research affiliation.
• The work will be or is freely and openly available online.
• The work will have or has a Creative Commons (CC) license.
• Projects that adapt or create an OER are suitable for WashU Libraries’ Pressbooks platform.

Applicants will need to provide:

• Personal and Affiliation Details: Name, Department, WashU Affiliation, and Contact Information
• Proposal Information: Project title, executive summary, description, timeline, and milestones
• Award Type:
  • Adoption ($2,500): For switching to an existing OER
  • Adaptation ($5,000): For modifying existing OER
  • Creation ($7,500): For developing a new OER from scratch
• Course Information: Course title, course level, course offering date, course objectives, estimated number of students
• Impact and Accessibility:
  • How does the project align with WashU’s Here and Next strategic plan for Digital
    Transformation? (and/or other institutional objectives)
  • How will the project address accessibility needs?
  • How does the project meet identified needs?
• Estimated budget: Outline of major budget items

Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:

• Clarity and completeness of the proposal
• Alignment with funding priorities (DI2 Accelerator and University goals)
• Potential impact on student learning, access, and digital competencies
• Feasibility and sustainability of the project
• Innovation and collaboration potential
• Accessibility and inclusivity
• Ability to complete work within given timeline (generally 12 months for adoption, 18 months for adaptation, 2-3 years for creation) after initial training from Libraries staff

Note: The specific rubric and evaluation process may be further refined based on the number and type of applications received.