diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
index ec4f6b1..8555325 100644
--- a/.github/CODEOWNERS
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@
 # Repo settings — admins only
 /.github/settings.yml             @open-component-model/admins
 
-# Per-project entries are added here by the TSC after each project merges.
-# OWNERS.md within each project remains TSC-controlled.
+# Per-project entries are added by submitters as part of their project proposal PR.
+# The TSC reviews and approves these entries before merge.
 #
-# Example (added post-merge for each approved project):
-# /my-plugin/            @alice @bob
-# /my-plugin/OWNERS.md   @open-component-model/tsc
\ No newline at end of file
+# Example:
+# /my-plugin/            @alice @bob
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 75d074f..95d572d 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -13,30 +13,34 @@ Projects live directly at the root of this repository:
 ```
 <your-project-name>/
 ├── README.md      # Required: describe what the project does and why
-├── OWNERS.md      # Required: list at least one maintainer (GitHub handle)
 └── ...
 ```
 
-### 2. Open a Pull Request
+### 2. Add a CODEOWNERS entry
+
+Your submission PR **must** include a CODEOWNERS change that assigns at least one
+maintainer to your project directory:
+
+```
+# In .github/CODEOWNERS — add at the end:
+/<your-project-name>/   @your-github-handle @optional-co-maintainer
+```
+
+### 3. Open a Pull Request
 
 - Title format: `feat: add <project-name>` ([Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/))
 - The workflow will automatically post a review checklist comment tagging `@open-component-model/tsc`
 
-### 3. TSC Review
+### 4. TSC Review
 
 A TSC member reviews the submission against the checklist:
 
 - Project scope is compatible with OCM
-- `OWNERS.md` lists at least one maintainer willing to maintain the project
+- CODEOWNERS entry lists at least one maintainer willing to maintain the project
 - No security or licensing concerns
 
 TSC approval is enforced natively via CODEOWNERS — at least one TSC member must approve the PR before it can merge.
 
-### 4. Post-Merge
-
-The TSC will add a CODEOWNERS entry for your project, granting you and any listed
-co-maintainers review authority over `/<your-project-name>/`.
-
 ## Contributing to an Existing Project
 
 Standard PR process — the TSC approval gate only activates when a new
diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
index 77eed44..79446ed 100644
--- a/GOVERNANCE.md
+++ b/GOVERNANCE.md
@@ -38,10 +38,11 @@ The TSC conducts periodic health checks on active projects. Projects inactive fo
 
 ## Code Ownership
 
-Project-specific CODEOWNERS entries are added by the TSC after a project merges.
-Project owners have full autonomy over their top-level project directory but cannot
-modify repository-wide CI workflows. The `OWNERS.md` file within each project remains
-TSC-controlled to prevent unilateral privilege escalation.
+Project submissions must include a CODEOWNERS entry assigning maintainers to the
+project directory. The TSC reviews and approves these entries as part of the
+submission PR. Project owners have full autonomy over their top-level project
+directory but cannot modify repository-wide CI workflows. Changes to CODEOWNERS
+remain TSC-controlled to prevent unilateral privilege escalation.
 
 ## Governance Evolution
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 41d7711..9261d40 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ All projects here have been reviewed and approved by the **TSC** before merge.
 ## Projects
 
 Community projects live directly at the root of this repository. Each project is an
-independent directory with its own `README.md` and `OWNERS.md`.
+independent directory with its own `README.md`.
 
 ## Contributing a New Project