The Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) is a non-profit organization of higher learning institutions that are primarily concerned with open and distance education. It strives to widen the educational opportunities available to all people in Asia and to improve the quality of the institutions.

AAOU plays a significant role in shaping and influencing the direction of open distance and e-learning not only in Asia but that of the whole world. While each member institution can contribute towards this direction, collaborative undertakings can have a more significant impact.

Objectives:

• Promote the generation and building of knowledge on open, distance and e-learning
• Facilitate active engagement in scholarly activities among academics of AAOU member institutions
• Promote the culture of research collaboration at AAOU

Implementation Mechanics:

• Any member of AAOU on active status can submit a research proposal to the AAOU Secretariat. The research should involve at least three AAOU member institutions.
• A Review Committee will review/evaluate the submitted research proposals.
• A grant of up to US$5,000 can be given to each of the approved research proposals.
• Each year, up to three (3) proposals can be given the research grant.
• Every research project should be completed in two (2) years.
• At least one paper from the research should be presented at the AAOU conference within two years or after the completion of the research grant and at least one paper submitted for publication to the AAOU Journal within two years or after completion of the research grant

What to Submit:

• Detailed research proposal (Introduction/Rationale; Review of Literature to establish the gap which the research will address; Methodology)
• Name, Institutional Affiliation, and contact details of the Proponent
• Names, Institutional Affiliation, and contact details of research collaborators