The University of Wisconsin System is proposing a budget that asks for an additional $21 million in state funding.

The UW System released its preliminary requests Monday, ahead of a Thursday meeting of the UW Board of Regents.

Most state agencies have been asked to submit budgets that seek no new money. But System officials were given the green light to include the additional request.

The system is also seeking $187 million for construction projects in Madison, La Crosse and Stevens Point. That money would be in the form of state-supported bonds but is separate from the 2013-15 budget.

The $21 million would be used to help fund the UW System's new flexible-degree initiative, which would grant college credit for real-world life experience.