Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative

Since 2013, K-State's Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative (OATI) has saved students over $10 million. The initiative provides instructors with grants of up to $10,000 to replace expensive, traditional textbooks with open or alternative digital resources.

Initially funded by K-State Libraries, the Student Governing Association and K-State administration, the program is now funded through donor support.

 

Important deadlines

OATI grant information sessions

• 3:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov 20 in 307 Hale and via Zoom
• 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3 in 407 Hale and via Zoom

Submit your grant proposal

2024-2025 course fee application deadlines

• Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, for spring 2025 courses
• Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, for summer and fall 2025 courses

Apply for the spring 2025 course fee

Apply for the summer/fall 2025 course fee

 

How it works

The initiative provides grants between $2,000 and $10,000 to K-State faculty and instructors to help them develop or adopt alternatives to traditional print textbooks. Instead of purchasing traditional textbooks, students may pay a small $10 course fee in courses that use open or alternative methods.

The result is significant savings for K-State students and an incredible return on investment. For every $1,000 donated to the program, K-State has been able to save students a total of $8,000 overall. That is an 8:1 return on investment, and the program can achieve those returns every year.

Learn more about the application and requirements

Find resources for creating or adopting open or alternative materials

Apply for the course fee

Already using open or alternative resources in your courses? You can apply to have the $10 fee applied to your course.

Ninety percent of the fee goes to the department, and 10 percent goes to the initiative to help fund future grants.

2024-2025 application deadlines

• Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, for spring 2025 courses
• Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, for summer and fall 2025 courses

Learn more about the course fee

Questions

Are you excited about the idea of saving your students money, but don’t know where to start? We are here to help!

For questions about teaching with and implementing open or alternative resources, contact:

• Brian Lindshield, Ph.D., department of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, at (785) 532-7848 or blindsh@k-state.edu
• Colby Moorberg, Ph.D., department of agronomy, at (785) 532-7207 or moorberg@k-state.edu

For all other questions, contact the Center for Scholarly Publishing at cads@k-state.edu.