The American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s (AIHEC’s) Open Education (OE) Program has announced a new pilot project. Seven tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) will each receive $21,050 subawards to adopt affordability best practices.

The project will include two cohorts. Cohort 1 will run from the fall of 2025, through the spring of 2026, and to the fall of 2026. Cohort 1 has two spots, and the application will open on June 1 and close August 1, 2025. Cohort 2 will run from the spring of 2026, through the fall of 2026, to the spring of 2027. Cohort 2 has five spots, and the application will open October 1 and close December 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Representatives from each cohort will meet monthly to discuss and report their progress on program objectives. Cohorts will consist of three faculty each who will submit curricula to the AIHEC OER Commons Hub; one librarian or library assistant pursuing OE librarianship certification; the registrar labeling courses zero textbook cost (ZTC) or low textbook cost (LTC); and the president who will release internal and external statements of support.