This page provides a top-level description of the Executive Committee Meetings.

The EC discussion will proceed in the same way as the Discussion Panel Meetings, where the panelists are the Chairs, Vice-Chairs and At-Large members.  See Discussion Panel Meetings for an overview of the process, noting the slight difference in process described below.

Difference between a Discussion Panel meeting and the EC meeting

At the EC meeting, chairs will summarize highly ranked Medium proposals, detailing the high-level science questions that will be addressed. The EC will not be asked to explicitly consider any potential Science Duplications with any proposals from the Discussion panels that are likely to be recommended for approval, but should such a concern arise, the TAC Chair will inform the Director of the discussion, with a suggestion for adjudication.

Executive Committee Meeting Logistics

The Executive Committees will meet in-person on the following days:

• Monday–Tuesday, February 8–9, 2027, 9am–5pm ET:
  Executive Committee Meeting for Galactic Panels
• Wednesday–Thursday, February 10–11, 2027, 9am–5pm ET:
  Executive Committee Meeting for Extragalactic Panels

Before the ECs meet, their respective TAC Chairs will circulate a schedule to the panelists, detailing the times each proposal will be discussed. 

Who attends the Panel Meetings

The meetings will be private, that is only people with a link may join. There will be a number of people beyond the panelists, PSSs, and SPD Managers who will be given the links and will be able to join.

• Chairs, Vice Chairs, At Large members, and the TAC Chair should attend the entirety of the EC Meeting. Short absences (i.e., teaching) can usually be accommodated in the TAC Chair's scheduling of the proposal discussion order. Panelists, including the TAC Chair  must leave the Webex room during the discussion of proposals on which they are conflicted; this will be managed by the PSS.
• The Panel Support Scientist (PSS) attends the entirety of the Panel Meeting for logistical support.
• SPD staff members will be present to monitor discussions and answer policy questions. SPD staff usually have "SPD" in their Webex name. They will keep their cameras off unless they are speaking.
• "Observers" from STScI and NASA will be present to observe the discussion. They usually have "STScI" or "NASA" in their Webex name and will keep their cameras off.

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