Employee Incentive Award Programs: 2023-2024

Read about employee incentive award programs and link to guidelines for eligibility and processing for 2023-2024.

Employee incentive awards recognize and reward excellence in university service. Incentive awards may be cash or noncash.

Taxable earnings: Cash awards of any amount and all cash-equivalent awards of $75 in value or greater are considered taxable earnings.

Payroll forms: See accounting guidelines and forms for requesting cash award checks and reporting the value of noncash awards for income tax purposes.

STAR Award Payment Authorization Forms can be submitted from September 14, 2023 through June 14, 2024 to ensure payment in the 2023/24 Fiscal Year. 

• To submit an individual STAR Award please use the spreadsheet format in the link below. 
• UCSD STAR Award Payment Authorization Form-Multiple Recipients (Excel Template)
  • when using the excel template, please e-mail completed file to STAR Award Submission 
  • include in your e-mail Department Head/Chair or Business Officer approval 

Campus HR Payroll will be processing STAR Awards for each pay cycle. Please refer to the Campus HR Payroll deadline for each pay-period below.  

For details about incentive awards, see the campuswide Incentive Awards Guidelines (PDF), and also and also consult with your vice chancellor office directly. *Please note additional eligibility requirement as of 1/2024, “Employee has successfully completed all required trainings.” People Leaders can verify training status the same way they do for the Staff Performance Appraisal.

Note: No amendments/changes to our local STAR Plan can be made.

Health Sciences employees are part of a separate STAR Award Program: STAR Award program for Health Sciences employees.

Quick Reference Links:

• Non-Cash Awards Procedures
• Business & Financial Guideline G-41
• UC Systemwide Incentive and Recognition Award Plan