This page describes the processes followed to check for compliance and to identify and adjudicate duplications during the JWST peer review process.  During different stages of the proposal ingest and review process, all submitted proposals are checked for multiple in-cycle submissions, and for Observation Duplications and Science Duplications. 

Multiple in-cycle submissions

Before the proposals are distributed to the reviewers, STScI checks all submitted proposals for multiple in-cycle submissions across scientific categories and across size categories. By multiple in-cycle submissions we refer to proposals with the same or nearly the same team, science goals, and targets. STScI reserves the right to reject all such proposals as non-compliant in the case of egregious violations, as they negatively impact the fairness of the selection process and result in unnecessary burden for the reviewers. Note that we are not referring to observation duplications or science duplications, described below. 

Duplication policy

There are two flavors of duplications: Observation Duplications and Science Duplications.

Observation Duplications 

Observation Duplications are observations:

• of the same target or field
• using the same instrument, same mode, same optical elements and
• with an exposure time within a factor of four.

The primary goal of the JWST Duplicate Observations Policy is to maximize telescope efficiency by eliminating unnecessary observations. In general, duplications are only allowed if there is a clear scientific justification. Exceptions include partial duplications, impacting a subset of the observing program and where removing the observation from one or other program could harm the science. This could be case, for example, when the fields of view overlap by <50%; in the case of observations of a target using multiple filters where most are unique; or in the case of NIRSpec MOS observations where <30% are source duplications. If there are no mitigating circumstances, one observation/visit/target will be disallowed. Previous cycle observations have priority. In-cycle duplications are adjudicated on a case by case basis, with the prime aim to minimize the overall science impact, taking into account data access and depth/integration times. The proposing teams will not be asked to share data before it becomes publicly available. 

Science Duplications 

Science Duplications can take a number of different forms, but are generally considered duplications when the scientific outcomes of different programs are very similar, and could overlap or be redundant. For example, if two programs wish to do the same science with the same target, even if the observations requested are not direct duplications, or if two programs propose to do the same science on different but very similar targets.

There is no policy prohibiting Science Duplications, but in some cases the TAC may consider them an inefficient use of JWST time, leading to the rejection of one of the proposals. 

Identification of Observation Duplications

Principal Investigators are required to identify and justify any duplications with any programs in prior cycles. Instructions to proposers can be found in JWST Observation Duplication Checking. The science justification for the duplication should be included in the proposal in the appropriate section. If it is not, the duplicate observations will be disallowed. 

In-cycle duplications are dealt with differently because proposers cannot identify them before submission.  Most duplications will be identified by and resolved by the TAC during the proposal selection process but in some cases they are identified post-TAC by the Science Policy Division (SPD) or when STScI performs program verification and duplication checking of all accepted programs. Community members also have the option to flag potential duplications via a duplication report to the Telescope Time Review Board (TTRB). The final decision on duplications rests with the STScI Director who is the Selecting Official for JWST. 

Duplication Flagging and Adjudication During the Review Process 

The Executive Committee (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 Disucusion 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.

During and After the TAC

As panels finish ranking, STScI will run duplication checking software on all programs recommended for acceptance to search for Observation Duplications. SPD may reach out to the Chairs, Vice Chairs and At-Large Members for assistance adjudicating duplications in their science area; this assistance may be requested during or after the panel meetings.

Final Decision 

The STScI Director is the Selecting Official for JWST so ultimately all duplications are adjudicated by Director, based on TAC recommendations. 

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