Teaching with Distinctive Collections: Course Development Grants
February 11, 2026
Two students using a primary resource.
The Oberlin College Libraries, in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Arts & Sciences, invite faculty to apply for $1,000 course development grants designed to integrate Oberlin College Libraries’ distinctive collections—such as Special Collections, the College Archives, or other rare and unique materials at the Conservatory, Art Library, or Visual Resources—into teaching. These grants support faculty who wish to collaborate with a curator or archivist to design innovative learning experiences that give students direct engagement with primary sources.
Application Requirements:
- A one-page description of intent, outlining how primary sources from Oberlin’s collections will be incorporated into a new or revised course.
- A statement from a curator/archivist on the collections/materials that would support the proposal.
- Participation in a brief promotional video highlighting the course project or a featured item from the collections.
- At the conclusion of the grant, submission of a final course development plan or syllabus.
- Applications must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026.
Proposals will be reviewed by a committee composed of faculty, archivists, and curators. Successful applicants will demonstrate how their course plan expands meaningful use of Oberlin’s unique materials, promotes student research and analysis with primary sources, and models collaboration between faculty and library staff.
These grants underscore the College’s commitment to enriching the curriculum through Oberlin’s distinctive holdings and to supporting faculty innovation in course design.
Please submit your proposals to Paul Heyde, Associate Director, Oberlin College Libraries.