STScI solicits proposals for HST Observing, Archival, and Theoretical Research. The full details are made available through two documents, the Call for Proposals, and the HST Primer. Downloadable PDF collections of these articles are provided as a courtesy, made available and updated when feasible. The online documentation is the authority, and will be updated with the latest information.

Late Breaking News

3/6/2020:

• Long-term GO proposals can be of any size category, Small, Medium, or Large. A typo did not include the Small category in this set. Further details are provided on HST Cycle 28 Proposal Categories.

3/4/2020:

• STScI and NASA recognize that measures taken to address the coronavirus COVID-19 are affecting the resources available to some researchers. We will accept late proposals from scientists impacted directly by those issues. Late submissions must be accompanied by an appropriate justification (pending approval) by email to [email protected]. These late submissions will be accepted until March 12, 2020. Contact the HST Help Desk for further details and assistance.

2/28/2020:

• We have discovered and largely addressed a problem with MAST archival searches by coordinate in the period of 4 Dec 2019 to 26 Feb 2020, such that a significant fraction of HST observations were not found, instrument footprints were not properly displayed for the affected observations, and retrieved data had incorrect header astrometry. This problem is particularly important for potential HST observers currently performing duplication checks as part of the preparation of HST Phase I proposals (due on 6 Mar 2020). If you or your collaborators performed such searches in the affected timeframe, please resubmit your archival requests and duplication checks to the MAST archive. A small number of datasets (of order 1%) remain uncorrected and undiscoverable in searches using the newer MAST interface, and will remain so until after the Phase 1 deadline, but those data will appear in searches with the classic MAST interface.  We apologize for any adverse impact on your archival research and proposal preparations.

2/5/2020:

• Some questions have arisen regarding the Hubble Tess Exoplanet Initiative (HTEI). The following statements are offered to clarify the nature of the initiative:
  • There is no pre-specified orbit allocation for HTEI programs. HTEI proposals will be reviewed by the Cycle 28 TAC and will be assessed along with all other Large and Treasury programs. The total orbit allocation to the TAC is 600 orbits.
  • HTEI programs are long-term programs (up to 3 cycles) that will allow the exoplanet community to maximize the science return from TESS by developing coherent, large-scale programs that can respond to new discoveries. Unlike most other programs, targets can be added after the program is approved. Since the aim is to benefit the broad community, the program must describe how community input will be taken into account in selecting new targets.
  • All data taken for HTEI programs will have no exclusive access period and will be available immediately to the community.
  • HTEI proposal must adhere to dual anonymous guidelines.
  • HTEI proposals are not the only avenue for TESS follow-up with HST. As usual, smaller-scale proposals will be reviewed by the panels in Cycle 28 and in subsequent cycles. Based on past precedents, priority will generally be assigned to accepted smaller programs in the event of duplications with HTEI programs.

1/27/2020:

• Support Letters for Proposed Mission Support: Proposers for observations in support of NASA/ESA missions who intend to include mission support letters should email them separately to [email protected] no later than March 13, 2020. The letters should not be added or included in the PDF attachment as they would not likely be compliant with the guidelines for the dual anonymous review. When necessary, the letters will be provided to the TAC panels in the Team Expertise and Background review.

1/23/2020:

• The APT Proposal Tool was released on January 22, 2020.

12/30/2019:

• Proposers who are eligible for NASA funding and intend to request funds for supporting resources, including support for ground-based observations, should make those intents clear in the scientific justifications of their Phase I proposals. The Financial Review Committee will not approve requests to cover costs for resources in budget proposals (from successful programs) that are not justified in the approved Phase I proposals.

See also HST Cycle 28 New and Important Features.

Welcome

We invite scientists to participate in Cycle 28 of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The telescope and its instruments were built under the auspices of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Management of HST’s scientific program is carried out by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). We anticipate allocating up to 2700 orbits in this cycle, including 1400 orbits for Small Programs, 700 for Medium Programs, and 600 for Large and Treasury Programs. An additional 1000 Snapshot observations and 500 Pure-Parallel observations may be allocated. Abstracts of previously accepted programs can be found on the HST proposal catalogs webpage.

This document establishes the goals, requirements, and policies for General Observer (GO) and Archival Research (AR) programs in Cycle 28. The table of contents for the web version of this document is on the right side of the page, and links there can take you to any page from any other page (click the arrow to expand the entire table of contents under "Hubble Space Telescope Call for Proposals for Cycle 28"). The links at the top of each page correspond to sections within that given page.

Proposing Calendar and Deadlines

Cycle 28 Phase I proposal deadline: March 6, 2020 at 8:00pm EST

Cycle 28 Peer Review meeting: May 11-15, 2020

Cycle 28 Phase II proposal deadline: June 30, 2020

Cycle 28 Budget submission deadline: July 16, 2020

Cycle 28 1st Mid-Cycle deadline: September 30, 2020

Cycle 28 2nd Mid-Cycle deadline: January 30, 2021

Notification of the outcome of the Phase I selection process will be sent to all proposers in late May.

What's New for Cycle 28

See HST Cycle 28 New and Important Features

Where to Get Help

• Read this Call for Proposals and The Hubble Space Telescope Primer for Cycle 28.
• Visit the STScI HST Cycle 28 Proposal Roadmap and the HST Cycle 28 Phase II Proposal Roadmap
• Visit STScI’s website at http://www.stsci.edu/
• Register (or review/check) a STScI Single Sign-On (SSO) Account.
• Contact the STScI HST Help Desk (web: https://hsthelp.stsci.edu, email: [email protected]).  We encourage use of the new website where you can submit questions directly to the appropriate team of experts.

Who's Responsible

The HST Call for Proposals and related materials for Cycle 28 were edited by Christine Chen. The Associate Directory for Science, Neill Reid, and the Science Mission Office at STScI are responsible for the oversight of the HST science program selection process, whose members include Alessandra Aloisi (Head of Science Mission Office), Claus Leitherer (Head of Science Policies Group), Katey Alatalo, Christine Chen, Andrew Fruchter, Amaya Moro-Martin, Molly Peeples, Louis-Gregory Strolger, Laura Watkins, and Technical Manager Brett Blacker.

Next: HST Cycle 28 New and Important Features