At UTA Libraries, we believe meaningful support goes beyond funding—it’s about recognizing your contributions, connecting you to resources, and celebrating innovation. As our UTA OER community continues to grow, so does our commitment to offering flexible and evolving ways to fund, incentivize, and recognize faculty who create, use, and advocate for open educational resources.
Rather than relying on a grant-first model, we’ve reimagined our support system to better align with the dynamic, values-driven work happening at UTA. Here you’ll find information about available funding opportunities, including grants, stipends, and giveaways, all woven into our OER Trailblazers Badge Program. You’ll also find guidance, tools, and real people ready to support your journey.
Explore below to see how we’re building a sustainable culture of open, together.
This interactive book introduces the UTA community’s shared foundation for understanding Open Educational Resources (OER). Developed through nearly two years of collaboration with faculty, students, and campus partners, it’s designed as your very first step into open education at UTA.
Inside, you’ll learn what makes a resource “open,” why OER matter for affordability and equity, how open licensing works, and where to go next on your Trailblazers journey.
The OER Trailblazers Badge Program is a self-paced Canvas experience where you learn about OER through authentic practice and reflection. Each badge marks a milestone in your journey, helping you build skills, connect with the UTA community, and gain recognition you can share on your résumé, LinkedIn, or in class.
➡️ Learn More About the Badge Program
Choose from a collection of open learning materials—books, articles, guides, and interactives—designed to help you explore OER on your own terms. Whether you want a quick overview or a deeper dive, these resources are always available and ready when you are.
Keep your OER journey going by connecting with others across campus.
Join the OER Microsoft Teams – Be part of the conversation, share ideas, and hear the latest updates in real time.
Ask the OER Team – Have a question or need support? Reach out anytime—we’re here to help.
OER Community Events – Workshops, showcases, and receptions that bring Mavericks together to celebrate and grow open education.
The OER Trailblazers Badge Program is the best place to begin—offering a structured, step-by-step pathway to learn, practice, and showcase your OER skills. Once you’ve started earning badges, you can dive deeper with guided support tailored to your needs:
Applied Strategy Sessions – One-on-one or small groups (2–4) ready to move an OER idea from draft to publication.
Explorer Strategy Sessions – Departments or programs (5+ faculty) exploring OER together while earning early badges.
Ongoing Project Support – Quick, 30-minute check-ins for troubleshooting, brainstorming, or keeping your project on track.
Each option is limited in availability each semester and designed to meet you where you are in your OER journey.
Turn your OER idea into action. These focused sessions give you one-on-one or small-group guidance to move from concept to publication. Each meeting is one hour and hosted on Microsoft Teams.
Format: One-hour virtual session
Audience: Individuals or small groups (2–4)
Prerequisites: All participants must have earned the Explorer badge plus either the Pathfinder or Seeker badge
Availability: Limited spots each semester
➡️ Apply for an Applied Strategy Session (coming soon)
Start your OER journey together. These sessions are designed for departments or programs that want to explore OER as a team, earning the Explorer and Seeker badges along the way. No prerequisites required—just bring your group’s curiosity.
Format: 1.5-2 hours, flexible to your needs
Delivery: In person (catered lunch included) or on Microsoft Teams
Audience: UTA faculty, departments, or programs with 5+ participants
Prerequisites: None
Availability: Limited spots each semester
➡️ Request an Explorer Strategy Sessin (coming soon)
Need quick help to keep your OER project moving? These 30-minute Microsoft Teams sessions are designed for troubleshooting, brainstorming, or getting guidance on adapting, publishing, or updating your materials.
Format: 30-minute virtual session
Audience: Faculty actively working on OER projects
Purpose: Quick assistance, solutions, or idea-sharing
➡️ Connect with the OER Team for Project Support (coming soon)
Fuel for Your OER Journey
Instead of treating funding as the starting line, we see it as fuel along the way. Our financial options are designed to meet you at different points in your OER journey—whether you’re experimenting with your first adoption, refining a course redesign, or publishing new materials. Some opportunities are competitive, others are available with badge progress, and a few are just for fun. All are meant to recognize the real time, energy, and creativity you bring to open education.
Beginning in Spring 2026, UTA faculty will be able to apply for grants and stipends to adopt, adapt, or create OER. To unlock applications, faculty must first earn specific Trailblazers badges, ensuring strong foundations in open practice.
Beyond badges, faculty can earn Impact Distinctions—special recognition for OER projects that demonstrate meaningful reach, significance, and innovation. These distinctions shine a light on how openness creates lasting value for students, colleagues, and the broader community.
If a badge is eligible for an Impact Distinction, you’ll be invited to apply as soon as you earn it. Faculty may apply for an Impact Distinction for any OER project completed within the past calendar year.
Applications are evaluated using a standardized rubric that considers:
Relevance & Alignment – How well the project connects to course goals and student needs
Evidence Quality – Strength of the data, documentation, or artifacts provided
Impact or Reach – Breadth and depth of student or community benefit
Reflection – Critical insights about the process and outcomes
Creativity or Innovation – Unique approaches or contributions to open practice
Rubric results inform stipend decisions, highlight exemplary models, and help refine the Trailblazers Badge Program over time.
Trailblazers participants can also access special perks tied to advanced engagement. Faculty who complete the Strategist or Reviewer badge will be entered into an end-of-semester drawing for a small professional development cash prize. These opportunities spotlight deeper contributions to OER, such as participating in advanced strategy sessions or completing an OER book review with support from the Libraries.
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For details and exceptions, see the Library Copyright Statement.
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