Observations obtained by JWST on the basis of a peer-reviewed and selected proposal and observations associated with guaranteed time (Policy 9) shall have a default exclusive access period of one year after the data are made available in a form suitable for analysis. As has been the case with HST and Spitzer, programs may be assigned shorter exclusive access periods (often referred to as proprietary data periods). The specific duration of the exclusive access period for each class of observations will be defined in the Annual Call for Proposals issued by STScI and approved by the JWST Project Office. Normally, the exclusive access period will expire on a pointing by pointing basis. 

The exclusive access period for any observation can be extended by the STScI Director, if dictated by compelling scientific requirements. Each such extension must be justified in detail to ensure the most productive and timely use of JWST data. During the exclusive access period, STScI staff may use data covered by this policy for operational and calibration purposes only.

The default exclusive access period may be reduced by the STScI Director with concurrence by NASA, ESA, and CSA.

After the assigned exclusive access periods, JWST data shall be made available to the general scientific community and the public. To obtain funding for JWST archival research, a requester must submit a proposal subject to peer review. However, nonrestricted JWST archive data can also be requested by scientists or the public without an attached request for analysis funding. Such requests must be honored without a peer review. 

Approved by:

Edward J. Weiler, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters.  1/5/2010

Paul Hertz, Chief Scientist, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. 12/30/2009

Jon A. Morse, Director, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters.   12/7/2009

Eric P. Smith, JWST Program Scientist, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters.  11/30/2009

In accordance with Contract NAS5-03127, Statement of Work, Section A.4, A.5, the following guidelines are policies promulgated by the NASA Associate Administrator (AA) for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) with regard to the implementation of the JWST science mission. Any reference to JWST Program or Project refers to the NASA JWST Program or Project unless explicitly noted otherwise.