Request for Proposals: The AtlanticOER Development Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 06-Feb-2026

The AtlanticOER Development Grant Program supports educators in Atlantic Canada to adapt, create, and expand open educational resources (OER) for credit-bearing post-secondary courses. The program provides tiered funding of up to $7,000 to reduce student costs, promote openly licensed learning materials, and encourage collaborative OER development. Projects must meet accessibility standards, apply Creative Commons licensing, and comply with institutional and responsible AI-use policies.

Overview of the Grant Program

The AtlanticOER Development Grant Program invites applications from educators and institutions in the Atlantic Region of Canada to support the adaptation, adoption, creation, and curation of open educational resources (OER).

The program aims to increase equitable access to course materials for students enrolled in credit-bearing courses while strengthening regional collaboration in open education.

Grants are designed to expand the availability of free, openly licensed teaching and learning materials across disciplines.

What Are Open Educational Resources (OER)?

Open educational resources are teaching, learning, and research materials that are:

• Free to use

• Openly licensed

• Legally reusable and adaptable

As defined by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, OER allow users to:

• Retain content

• Reuse content

• Revise content

• Remix content

• Redistribute content

The AtlanticOER program prioritizes resources that reduce student costs and improve access to high-quality educational materials.

Program Goals and Objectives

The AtlanticOER Development Grants aim to:

• Reduce the financial burden of textbooks and course materials

• Support innovation in teaching and learning

• Encourage collaboration among Atlantic institutions

• Promote open licensing and sustainable resource sharing

• Expand OER adoption across credit-bearing courses

The program supports both individual and collaborative initiatives, including OER Sprints.

Funding Tiers and Grant Amounts

The program offers three funding tiers based on project scope and output.

1. Creation of a New Open Textbook

• Maximum funding: up to $7,000

• Supports the development of a brand-new open textbook for a credit-bearing course

2. Adaptation of an Existing Open Textbook

• Maximum funding: up to $4,000

• Supports revising, localizing, or updating an existing OER textbook

3. Creation of Ancillary Materials

• Maximum funding: up to $1,000

• Supports supplementary materials such as test banks, slide decks, or instructional guides

OER Sprint Projects

Collaborative OER Sprint initiatives are eligible for support, including costs related to hosting sprint events and collaborative content development.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

• Student research assistants

• Specialized expertise not available within the applicant’s institution

• Development tools for creating ancillary materials

• Resources required to host OER Sprint events

All expenses must directly support OER development activities.

Ineligible Expenses

The following costs are not eligible for funding:

• Administrative overhead

• Conference registration, travel, or accommodation

• Fees paid to commercial publishers for open access publication

• Salaries for individuals already employed by the institution, unless approved release time or reduced-income periods apply

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To be eligible, applications must meet the following criteria:

• At least one applicant must be affiliated with a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the Atlantic Region

• The project must involve the creation or adaptation of an OER for a credit-bearing course

• At least one applicant must be authorized to assign course readings for the targeted course

• Applications may be submitted by individuals, joint partners, or teams

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The use of AI tools in OER creation is permitted under strict conditions.

Applicants must:

• Comply with their institution’s AI-use policies

• Complete the AI Use section of the application

• Clearly describe AI tools used and their role in content creation

• Identify any potential student interaction with AI

Any changes to AI use during the project require prior approval from the AtlanticOER Lead.

Applications may be disqualified if AI use is deemed inappropriate, non-compliant, or ethically unsound.

Applicants are also encouraged to consider the evolving copyright implications of AI-generated content.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

• A clear description of the OER being developed or adapted

• A realistic project timeline

• A detailed and justified budget

• An assessment of anticipated student impact

• Methods for measuring project success

• Accessibility commitments and plans

• Plans for future use and sustainability of the OER

All required forms must be completed in full.

Licensing and Accessibility Requirements

Funded projects must:

• Apply a Creative Commons license to the final product, unless an approved exemption applies

• Meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards

• Comply with institutional policies

• Be implemented in a credit-bearing course in subsequent semesters

Projects must begin in the award year and be completed within two years.

Reporting and Grant Holder Responsibilities

Grant recipients are required to:

• Submit progress and final reports

• Conduct student evaluations

• Acknowledge the AtlanticOER Development Grant in all publications and presentations

• Maintain the relevance and currency of the OER over time

Proposal Review and Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by the CAAL-CBPA OER Committee through a single-blind peer review process.

Proposals are assessed based on:

• Overall project quality

• Potential student impact

• Accessibility planning

• Appropriateness of timeline and budget

• Responsible and transparent AI use

• Correct application of Creative Commons licensing

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects not tied to a credit-bearing course

• Failing to address accessibility requirements

• Inadequate explanation of AI use or compliance

• Unrealistic timelines or budgets

• Missing sustainability or future-use plans

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main purpose of the AtlanticOER Development Grant?

The grant supports the creation and adaptation of openly licensed educational resources to reduce student costs and improve access to learning materials.

Who can apply for the grant?

Educators affiliated with publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada who are involved in teaching credit-bearing courses.

Can teams or partnerships apply?

Yes. Applications may be submitted by individuals, joint partners, or collaborative teams.

Is AI allowed in OER development?

Yes, provided it complies with institutional policies, is transparently disclosed, and receives approval for any changes during the project.

What license must be applied to the final OER?

A Creative Commons license is required unless an approved exemption applies.

How long do funded projects have to be completed?

Projects must start in the award year and be completed within two years.

Are OER Sprint projects eligible?

Yes. OER Sprint initiatives are explicitly eligible for funding.

Conclusion

The AtlanticOER Development Grant Program provides strategic funding to expand open educational resources across Atlantic Canada. By supporting openly licensed, accessible, and high-impact learning materials, the program strengthens educational equity, reduces student costs, and fosters a sustainable culture of collaboration in post-secondary education.

For more information, visit CAMET.