
Start-A-Project at UCSC: Key Steps & Funding Requirements
Key Steps
1. Submit the Start-A-Project Request Form
The Divisional Principal Officer (or appropriate delegate) must submit the Start-A-Project request via the Start-A-Project button at the bottom of this page. This button will route you to a Google Form to initiate the project intake process, which will include an intake meeting to allow the client to provide a brief overview of the project.
2. Intake & Review
The form is submitted to the intake team from the Physical Planning, Development, and Operations (PPDO) Campus Planning unit, who will collectively review the submission during your intake meeting and identify the appropriate pathway forward.
3. Program Confirmation
Following the intake meeting, a Program Confirmation Form (PCF) is created for all proposed capital projects to confirm project priorities, scope, and availability of funding to complete the requested project.
4. Projects Over $35,000
Projects Over $35,000 are generally considered to be Capital projects and often require approval from the Executive Vice Chancellor/Campus Provost and/or the Chancellor. Projects over $10,000,000 will require additional review by the UC Office of the President and/or UC Regents and will follow a different approval process.
Project Funding Requirements
- A project must be authorized by the Division’s Principal Officer.
- Projects may move past the Project Intake phase of the Start-A-Project process without a funding source identified (FOAPAL), but you will be asked to provide this information at a later date to support the Project Initiation phase (please see Standard Project Process image below).
Note: PPDO is a recharge unit—no work can begin on your project during the Project Initiation phase without the initial Start-A-Project funding in place.
Important Considerations
- Capital Planning manages the project-intake process and budget-approval request process.
- Project continuation beyond the Start-A-Project process is not guaranteed and may be influenced by availability of resources required to proceed with the project.
- Additional Start-A-Project funding may be requested by PPDO before or during the Start-A-Project submission based on project complexity.
- Campus clients can withdraw a Start-A-Project request at any time by contacting the Capital Planning team.
If you are unsure if your proposed project is a Capital Project or not, it is recommended to use the “Start-A-Project” process by clicking the button below.
Projects that are repair, maintenance, and replacement in scope typically involve Physical Plant Services only and should be submitted to the Work Order Desk by calling 831-459-4444 or submitting an online Work Order Request.

