diff --git a/backend/dist/index.js b/backend/dist/index.js
index 7ba2252..9e1703a 100644
--- a/backend/dist/index.js
+++ b/backend/dist/index.js
@@ -34659,16 +34659,18 @@ async function syncProjectsToAirtable() {
           effectiveHours = Math.max(0, effectiveHours);
         }
       }
-      let otherYswsDeduction = 0;
-      if (project.githubUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.githubUrl)) {
-        otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.githubUrl);
-      }
-      if (project.playableUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.playableUrl)) {
-        otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.playableUrl);
-      }
-      if (otherYswsDeduction > 0) {
-        console.log(`[AIRTABLE-SYNC] Deducting ${otherYswsDeduction}h from project ${project.id} (awarded in other YSWS programs)`);
-        effectiveHours = Math.max(0, effectiveHours - otherYswsDeduction);
+      if (project.hoursOverride === null) {
+        let otherYswsDeduction = 0;
+        if (project.githubUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.githubUrl)) {
+          otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.githubUrl);
+        }
+        if (project.playableUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.playableUrl)) {
+          otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.playableUrl);
+        }
+        if (otherYswsDeduction > 0) {
+          console.log(`[AIRTABLE-SYNC] Deducting ${otherYswsDeduction}h from project ${project.id} (awarded in other YSWS programs)`);
+          effectiveHours = Math.max(0, effectiveHours - otherYswsDeduction);
+        }
       }
       const firstName = userIdentity?.first_name || (project.username || "").split(" ")[0] || "";
       const lastName = userIdentity?.last_name || (project.username || "").split(" ").slice(1).join(" ") || "";
diff --git a/backend/src/lib/airtable-sync.ts b/backend/src/lib/airtable-sync.ts
index e55037f..5b53aa3 100644
--- a/backend/src/lib/airtable-sync.ts
+++ b/backend/src/lib/airtable-sync.ts
@@ -444,16 +444,19 @@ export async function syncProjectsToAirtable(): Promise<void> {
 			}
 
 			// Deduct hours already awarded in other YSWS programs
-			let otherYswsDeduction = 0
-			if (project.githubUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.githubUrl)) {
-				otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.githubUrl)!
-			}
-			if (project.playableUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.playableUrl)) {
-				otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.playableUrl)!
-			}
-			if (otherYswsDeduction > 0) {
-				console.log(`[AIRTABLE-SYNC] Deducting ${otherYswsDeduction}h from project ${project.id} (awarded in other YSWS programs)`)
-				effectiveHours = Math.max(0, effectiveHours - otherYswsDeduction)
+			// Skip deduction if project has an override — the reviewer already set the intended hours
+			if (project.hoursOverride === null) {
+				let otherYswsDeduction = 0
+				if (project.githubUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.githubUrl)) {
+					otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.githubUrl)!
+				}
+				if (project.playableUrl && otherYswsHours.has(project.playableUrl)) {
+					otherYswsDeduction += otherYswsHours.get(project.playableUrl)!
+				}
+				if (otherYswsDeduction > 0) {
+					console.log(`[AIRTABLE-SYNC] Deducting ${otherYswsDeduction}h from project ${project.id} (awarded in other YSWS programs)`)
+					effectiveHours = Math.max(0, effectiveHours - otherYswsDeduction)
+				}
 			}
 
 			const firstName = userIdentity?.first_name || (project.username || '').split(' ')[0] || ''