Professional astronomers get observing time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) by submitting proposals to the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Proposals compete in peer review; astronomers cannot simply book an open slot. A typical application combines a scientific case with a justified, feasible observing plan, submitted through the Astronomer’s Proposal Tool (APT). The calls, deadlines, forms, and follow-up requirements vary by telescope and cycle.
How the proposal process works
- Choose a proposal route. Depending on the telescope and cycle, calls may invite observing proposals, research using existing archive data, surveys, or theoretical research. The routes are not identical for JWST and HST.
- Make the scientific case. Explain the question, why the telescope or data are suited to it, how the proposed work will answer it, and why the requested time or other resources are justified.
- Prepare the submission in APT. APT is the electronic proposal interface. Follow the active call’s documentation for the required materials, format, page limits, anonymization rules, and software version.
- Submit by the deadline. Deadlines are call-specific and strict. Check the current STScI call rather than relying on dates from an older cycle.
- Undergo peer review. Reviewers assess proposals and make recommendations through the observatory’s review process. A submission is not a guarantee of telescope time.
- Complete follow-up requirements if selected. For HST, selected programs must submit detailed Phase II observation information for technical review and scheduling. The cycle documentation sets JWST’s follow-on requirements.
What astronomers include in a strong proposal
A proposal needs to connect its scientific question to an executable plan. Reviewers need to understand both why the result matters and whether the requested observations or analysis can plausibly deliver it. That means making the telescope or dataset fit clear, explaining the requested resources, and showing how the work leads to results.
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For JWST Cycle 5, the three primary review criteria were equally weighted: impact within the field, impact beyond the immediate field, and suitability and feasibility. The call noted that reviewers evaluate what is written in the proposal. Because reviewers can include both specialists and scientists whose expertise is farther from the subject, the case should be legible to both audiences. JWST Cycle 5 selection procedures
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The overall pattern—prepare a proposal, submit it through APT, and compete in review—is shared, but the detailed categories, policies, and post-selection steps depend on the observatory and cycle.
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| Area | JWST Cycle 5 | HST Cycle 34 |
|---|---|---|
| Call categories | General Observer, Survey, and Archival Research proposals. JWST Cycle 5 Call for Proposals | Observing, archival, and theoretical research proposals. HST Cycle 34 submission policies |
| Submission and eligibility | Cycle-specific policies govern investigator roles, submission, and eligibility. JWST Cycle 5 submission policies | Investigators of any nationality or affiliation may apply, including students and people at any career stage. HST Phase I consists of the completed APT form and an attached PDF. HST Cycle 34 submission policies |
| Review | Scientific panels and a Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC) recommended programs to the STScI Director, who made the final allocation decision. JWST Cycle 5 selection procedures | Review panels and a TAC recommend proposals to the Director. HST Cycle 34 submission policies |
| After selection | Use the applicable cycle documentation for follow-up requirements; requirements should not be inferred from HST’s Phase II process. | Submit Phase II details for technical feasibility review and scheduling. A program is not fully approved until acceptable Phase II material is submitted. HST Cycle 34 submission policies |
Who can apply, and who submits?
The cited JWST Cycle 5 and HST Cycle 34 policies allow investigators of any nationality or affiliation to submit. HST’s Cycle 34 guidance explicitly includes students and investigators at any career stage. A proposal names a Principal Investigator (PI) and may list Co-Investigators (Co-Is); under the applicable submission policies, the PI or an eligible Co-I may submit through APT.
Institutional approval is a separate matter. STScI does not require institutional endorsement for HST Phase I, but an investigator’s institution may impose its own internal approval process. Check local rules as well as the telescope call. HST Cycle 34 submission policies
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What the cited cycles’ deadlines looked like
These are historical, cycle-specific examples, not a recurring schedule. JWST Cycle 5 proposals were due October 15, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The announced observing period was July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with up to 8,000 hours anticipated for that cycle. JWST Cycle 5 Call for Proposals
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For an active opportunity, start with STScI’s proposal opportunities page and open the current observatory-specific call. Confirm its deadline, eligibility rules, required template, APT version, and review procedures before preparing a submission.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can astronomers apply outside the regular JWST call?
JWST also accepts Director’s Discretionary (DD) Time proposals during a cycle for scientifically urgent cases. This is an exception route, not a way to bypass evaluation: DD requests still require a detailed proposal and review. The applicable call explains how and when to submit. JWST Cycle 5 Director’s Discretionary Time proposals
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