VCU Libraries invites applications for the eighth round of annual awards to support faculty adoption of no-cost resources and creation or customization of openly-licensed alternatives to expensive textbooks for use in VCU classrooms. Applications are due on April 3, 2024. 

The Affordable Course Content Awards (ACCA) support faculty in providing no-cost course materials to their students by providing funding, hands-on project support, and providing faculty development on the open publishing process and open educational practices. Funding amounts vary based on project budget as outlined in the application. Awards are typically between $1000-$2000 for small, individual course projects and up to $15,000 for large, departmental projects. 

Visit the program website for more info and application materials. Please reach out with any questions to liboacc@vcu.edu.

“I’m excited to see what new projects will join the Affordable Course Content Awards program,” said Open Educational Resources Librarian Abbey Childs, “Our past projects have not only saved students money, but yielded high-quality resources that promote student engagement and success, and I really look forward to seeing the Awards’ impact continue to grow.” 

The VCU Libraries Open and Affordable Course Content initiative has impacted more than 96,000 VCU students and saved them more than $10 million dollars. The Affordable Course Content Awards program is made possible in part by The Barbara Ford Endowment of the 21st Century Fund and The Friends of VCU Libraries.