Circumstances under which JWST observations will be obtained outside of the normal investigation selection process are defined as follows:

1. Calibration Observations: Calibration observations of external targets and internal sources are required to maintain the accuracy and operational performance of the observatory.  Calibration observations undertaken as part of the JWST calibration plan, whether primary or parallel, will not be entitled to any exclusive access period.  Parallel observations are defined as those using a second scientific instrument when another is observing in a prime mode.
2. Director's Discretionary Observations: The STScI Director may assign up to 10% of the science program for scientific investigations received outside the normal solicitation and peer review process. These may include the study of unanticipated phenomena, high-risk programs, etc. Discretionary observations will generally have no exclusive access period. However, these programs may, at the Director's discretion, be made subject to the same exclusive access period described in Policy 2.

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.