Partnership for Affordable Learning Materials (PALM)

Selection criteria

Proposals are reviewed by library staff at the libraries of the University of Minnesota. 

Grants will be awarded on the basis of:

• strength of application and adherence to application requirements (vision of success, intended impact, timeline, and challenges)
• potential savings to University of Minnesota students
• positive impact on teaching and learning strategies
• willingness to partner with UMN libraries and contribute to grant program cohort
• sustainability of the project for future courses
• innovative course materials and proposed pedagogical practice
• use of experiential learning resources (including makerspaces, 3D printing, multimedia production)

Preference given to projects implemented in the 2025-26 academic year.

Proposal Requirements

Applications should be sent to lib-palm@umn.edu

Before applying, interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the Open Educational Resources & Affordable Learning guide and schedule a consultation with Micah Gjeltema, Open Education & Affordable Content Librarian. 

Applicant information

1. Full name(s)
2. Course, including number, title, number of students, current textbook or other course materials and their costs
3. Department
4. School/college
5. Email address
6. Position title/rank

Brief Narrative

Provide a narrative of 500 words or less to describe your proposed alternative to a commercial textbook or other course materials. Include:

• your vision for the new textbook and/or learning materials and criteria for "success"
• the anticipated impact (for student learning, student savings, pedagogy, etc.)
• timeline/semester course is offered, and sustainability for future courses
• anticipated challenges of using alternative course materials and requests for support
• potential peer reviewers within your discipline, if possible

Prior Syllabus

Please include a copy of the course syllabus (including required materials) from the most recent semester in which a commercial textbook was used, for cost comparison.

Commitments

University of Minnesota Libraries professionals will support participants by

• organizing workshops and showcases for the program cohort to encourage success
• consulting in the identification and evaluation of disciplinary OER textbooks and materials
• constructing Reading Lists to provide all selected materials through a single access point in Canvas
• investigating opportunities to supplement OER works through the purchase of materials, particularly multi-user eBooks, with libraries resources
• providing copyright & licensing assistance as well as technological support for OER creation through libraries platforms like Pressbooks

By accepting a grant award, participants commit to 

• participating in and contributing to program workshops and peer discussion
• revising and implementing a low- or no-cost syllabus
• making created materials available with a CC-BY-NC 4.0 license
• implementing assessment strategies to determine project efficacy
• participating in a Libraries showcase upon project conclusion