Call for Proposals
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and the Community and Technical College System (CTCS) invite proposals for Open Learning WV Summer 2026
“From Learning to Earning” Campus Engagement Grants. These grants provide funding for campuses to engage faculty, librarians, instructional designers, and academic leaders in activities that expand the adoption and use of Open Educational Resources (OER), open pedagogy, and other no-cost course materials and pedagogical approaches.
Emphasis will be placed on proposals that support workforce, technical, and career-focused programs, as well as the development of essential (durable) skills, especially in high-demand fields. These efforts are intended to reduce barriers to entry and completion by lowering costs and increasing access to high-quality, relevant learning materials while also preparing students with the skills needed for success in the workforce.
Up to $10,000 per campus will be awarded to support campus-based initiatives during Summer 2026.
Funding for selected projects will begin June 1, 2026, with activities taking place during the Summer 2026 term.
Purpose
The purpose of these grants is to support campus-level engagement and professional learning that advances the goals of the Open Learning WV initiative. Projects should bring together faculty, librarians, instructional designers, and other campus partners to explore, adopt, create, or expand the use of OER and open teaching practices.
Priority will be given to proposals that support the adoption and use of OER within workforce, technical, and career-focused programs, as well as those that intentionally build essential (durable) skills. Institutions are encouraged to focus on high-demand fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, energy, and other disciplines where students often face additional costs for course materials, lab resources, or certification-related content, while also integrating skills such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy.
Any educational materials created must include an appropriate Creative Commons license, be ADA accessible, and be uploaded to the Hyku repository. There is also an expectation that this work will be shared through a future Open Learning WV convening or another opportunity sponsored by the Commission or Council.
Examples of Allowable Activities
Examples of activities that may be supported include:
- Faculty workshops or course redesign workshops focused on OER, accessibility, and application within workforce and technical programs
- Stipends for faculty converting or updating courses to OER or no-cost materials, particularly in high-demand workforce and career-focused disciplines
- Faculty–librarian collaborations to identify, curate, or adapt OER aligned with industry standards, technical competencies, or credential requirements
- Training or professional development for librarians on strategies to support faculty in adopting, adapting, and creating OER
- Campus OER showcases, course design sprints, or faculty learning communities focused on scaling OER
- Professional development related to open pedagogy and student-created learning materials, including projects that simulate real-world or workforce-relevant applications
- Travel for faculty, librarians, or instructional designers to attend an OER-related summer conference or professional development opportunity, with the expectation that participants will share what they learn with colleagues on their campus
Funds may be used for stipends, consultation costs, workshop facilitation, instructional design support, student assistants, librarian training related to OER support, travel for OER professional development, or related project costs.
Funds may not be used for general infrastructure, equipment unrelated to OER development, or ongoing operational expenses outside the scope of the project.
Collaboration Expectations
Proposals should demonstrate collaboration among campus partners. Projects may involve at least two of the following groups:
- Faculty
- Librarians
- Instructional designers or technologists
- Students
- Department chairs, program directors, and/or academic leaders
Collaborative proposals involving multiple departments or institutions are encouraged.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should be concise and include the following information. Submit your proposal using this MS form.
Project Title
Project Description (300 words or less)
Describe the proposed activity or activities and how they will support OER adoption or open teaching practices on your campus.
Include:
- The goals of the project
- The courses, programs, or faculty involved
- How the project will improve student access to affordable and accessible learning materials
Workforce, Technical, and Essential Skills Alignment (300 words or less)
Describe how your proposed project supports workforce, technical, or career-focused programs and/or contributes to the development of essential (durable) skills.
Proposals should address one or more of the following:
- Alignment with workforce or technical programs (e.g., healthcare, advanced manufacturing, IT, energy, or other high-demand fields)
- Integration of industry-relevant skills, competencies, or credentials
- Support for hands-on, applied, or lab-based learning environments
- Contribution to essential or durable skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, or digital literacy
- Connection to dual enrollment, Level Up, or other workforce-aligned pathways
Project Team
List the individuals involved in the project and their roles.
Timeline
Provide a brief timeline outlining the activities that will take place during Summer 2026.
Budget
Provide a short budget outlining how funds will be used.
Examples may include:
- Faculty stipends
- Student assistants
- Workshop facilitation
- Instructional design support
- Librarian training related to OER support
- Consultation services
- Travel to an OER-related conference or professional development event
Expected Outcomes and Deliverables
Briefly describe the outcomes you expect from the project.
Examples may include:
- Number of courses converted to OER
- Faculty or librarians participating in training
- Estimated student savings
- Materials created or shared with others
Reporting
Award recipients will be asked to submit an end-of-project report describing activities completed, student impact, and lessons learned.
Any educational materials created must include an appropriate Creative Commons license, be ADA accessible, and be uploaded to the Hyku repository. There is also an expectation that this work will be shared through a future Open Learning WV convening or another opportunity sponsored by the Commission or Council.
Timeline
Proposal Deadline: May 22, 2026
Award Notification: May 28, 2026
Funding Begins: June 1, 2026
Project Period: June–August 2026