General Observers Program
The JWST General Observers Program offers astronomers the chance to propose innovative astrophysics research using the James Webb Space Telescope’s advanced instruments.
Funder: Space Telescope Science Institute
Due Dates: October 15, 2025 | September 30, 2026
Funding Amounts: Observation time on JWST; associated grants for selected proposals (amount varies by project scope and U.S. institutional eligibility).
Summary: Provides astronomers worldwide the opportunity to propose for JWST observation time to conduct innovative astrophysics research.
Key Information: Proposals undergo dual-anonymous peer review; open to global researchers, but grant funding is available only to U.S.-based institutions.
Description
The General Observers (GO) Program offers the global astronomical community annual opportunities to apply for observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The program supports a broad spectrum of scientific investigations in astrophysics, leveraging JWST’s advanced instrumentation. Proposals are selected through a dual-anonymous peer review process, ensuring fairness and scientific merit in the allocation of observation time. In addition to telescope time, U.S.-based principal investigators (PIs) may receive associated research grants to support their JWST projects.
