JWST Data Rights and Duplications - Cycle 3

Dated material

You are viewing content from a previous JWST Call for Proposals (CfP). For information pertaining to the current observing cycle and future CfPs, please see JWST Opportunities and Policies.

This page describes the exclusive access periods that are associated with various types of JWST proposals, as well as the policies regarding duplication of existing data.

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Data rights

Depending on the Proposal Category (see JWST Proposal Categories - Cycle 3), observers may have exclusive access to their science data during an exclusive access period. For Small and Medium GO proposals and for Survey proposals, this period is normally 12 months following the date on which the data are archived. At the end of the exclusive access period, the data become available without restriction through the MAST Archive.

Submitters of Small and Medium GO proposals and of Survey proposals who wish to request a shorter exclusive access period of 3 or 6 months, or who are willing to waive their exclusive access rights altogether, should specify the desired Exclusive Access Period on the Proposal Information page in APT. Because of the potential benefit to the community, particularly in the case of Survey programs, proposers should give this serious consideration (see JWST Proposal Selection Procedures - Cycle 3).

Data taken under the Treasury, Calibration, and Large Program categories will by default have no exclusive access period. Any request for non-zero exclusive access periods for programs in these categories must be justified in the APT Special Requirements and will be subject to review by the TAC. 

Policies and procedures regarding duplications

Observations taken as part of the GO program cannot duplicate those specified by previously approved GO programs, Guaranteed Time Observations (GTOs) or Director's Discretionary Programs, including the Early Release Science programs, unless there is an appropriate scientific justification. Generally, an observation is considered a potential duplication if it is on the same astronomical target or field, with the same instrument in the same mode, with the same spectral resolution and spectral range, and an on-target exposure time within a factor of 4 of the previously-scheduled observation. Duplicate observations must be justified explicitly in the proposal. Proposers should refer to the JWST Duplication Policy for the complete description of the policy requirements.


Next: JWST Proposal Selection Procedures - Cycle 3




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