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Capital Resources

The Resource Planning Process comprehensively considers all capital projects and requests to ensure that all capital projects across Northwestern support institutional priorities and school/unit strategies. The process enables systematic prioritization of projects and requests and ensures alignment with University finances and cash flow.

Resource Requests

Schools/units should identify all facilities and non-facilities capital plans and requests for FY 2025 within the Resource Planning Process. In addition, all appropriated and self-supporting units—including schools, units, and auxiliary units—that are exploring or implementing a capital project, regardless of funding source, are expected to participate in the Resource Planning Process.

Units exploring or implementing a capital project should submit a resource request. Capital requests should be submitted by February 23, 2024, using this form. Once a request has been submitted, the school/unit budget analyst will be notified.

Capital requests should include:

  • Any new footprint construction project, including expansions
  • Any renovation, recapitalization, or demolition project with a total project budget over $100K
  • Any facility or land acquisition
  • Any new leased space or leased space renewal
  • Any master plan, feasibility study, or conceptual study that may result in a capital project
  • Any change of use within the existing Northwestern portfolio, such as changing administrative space to research space

Consideration and Approval

The Resource Planning Workgroup will consider all capital requests and assess them against University priorities and school/unit strategies and resources. In addition, the Resource Planning Workgroup consults with the Capital Facilities Workgroup to inform and clarify capital requests.  

The Capital Facilities Workgroup includes: 

  • Office of the Provost designate(s) 
  • Office of Budget and Planning designate(s)
  • Facilities designate(s) 

The Resource Planning Workgroup recommends to the President and Provost a set of capital projects for endorsement. The President and Provost then endorse projects based on project cost and other characteristics. Once the Board of Trustees determines final approval of the University capital budget in June, schools/units are notified of their final capital resource allocations.