Official funding opportunity
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) opened the Workforce OER Collaborator track of its Open Educational Resources Grant Program, Round 5 Second Request for Applications, Appropriation Year 2027 (RFA 1801, issued October 16, 2026). THECB estimates approximately three awards of $285,000 each for this track. Approximately $1 million is anticipated across Nursing and Workforce tracks combined, not per applicant.
Eligibility and projects
Only Texas public institutions of higher education as defined under Texas Education Code § 61.003(8) qualify as lead applicants. Applications must propose new or substantially improved open educational resources for three to five Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) courses, prioritizing high-demand workforce fields. Cross-institutional collaboration with at least one other Texas public higher education institution is required. Project teams must include relevant faculty, instructional design, library and grant/financial staff and workforce advisory involvement. One Workforce-track application per applicant institution is permitted. Prior Round 5 first-RFA awardees may submit different courses, not previously funded projects.
Applications and dates
Complete applications are due November 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time, submitted electronically by an authorized institutional agent through THECB’s Grants Management System (GMS). Inquiries are due November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT. No Notice of Intent is required. Anticipated work begins January 4, 2027, or after award execution if later, through August 31, 2028. New course materials must be shared under allowable open licensing and placed in the OERTX repository. Grantees must teach courses during the specified grant-period milestones and provide performance and financial reports.
Funding and limitations
Approved direct project expenses may include faculty and support personnel, reasonable grant travel, instructional design and production, digital tools and equipment or supplies. Equipment and supplies generally have a 50% budget cap unless THECB approves an exception. Indirect costs, unrelated personnel costs, foreign travel, construction, entertainment, food and beverages, and ongoing maintenance after the project are prohibited. Grant funds must not supplant other available funds. Following award execution and commencement, an initial 50% advance is authorized; the balance is conditioned on required reports and performance milestones at THECB’s discretion. The RFA does not state a standalone matching-funds percentage.
Controlling documentation
Review the official 48-page RFA 1801 together with the THECB program page and any subsequently published FAQ or amendments. Verified October 22, 2026.