Open Education Resources Grants open to increase access for students
Charles Darwin University is taking steps to alleviate some of the cost-of-living pressures on students with a new initiative to avoid high textbook costs.
The CDU Library has launched the Open Education Resource (OER) Grants for 2026. Aimed at incentivising academics and trainers to adopt Open Educational Resources (OER) for curriculum and assessments in preference to expensive textbooks, and other material that is cost-prohibitive to students.
Manager of Academic and Research Services at CDU Library, Crystal Brunyee, said that to make CDU a university that is more equitable, then there needs to be access to knowledge.
She said that OER provided a way for the CDU community to ensure access to information.
“OER reduces costs to students and increases access to educational materials, removing some of the traditional barriers to information,” Ms Brunyee said.
“The library has a deep commitment to supporting the development of Open Access Resources.”
The grants are being offered to support CDU staff in developing, adapting or adopting open educational resources for use in university courses.
OERs are free to access, openly licensed materials such as textbooks, courses, multimedia, and learning tools.
“At the core of open access is the ability of academics and teachers, to reuse, revise, remix and redistribute content for the best outcomes for students,” Ms Brunyee said.
“There is a real growing movement for open access to knowledge and information, and the quality of the material is central to this push.”
EOI, round one will close at close of business 29th May 2026, round two will open in June and close at close of business 3rd July 2026.
EOIs are open to academic and professional staff across all CDU faculties and research institutes.
Two types of grants are available: adaptation of existing OER (10 available grants of $1500) and the development of a new Open Textbook (5 grants of $2500).
Projects should align with CDU courses and reading lists, support the university’s strategic plan, and be completed within the 2026 calendar year.
Applications will be assessed on merit, feasibility, and institutional impact. Successful projects will contribute to enhanced student access and affordability at CDU.
For more information 2026 Open Education Grants
To make an application head to: OER Grant Application Form 2026