Science Policies Group Review Process

The Science Policies Group is home to the scientific and technical staff that manages the allocation of Hubble observing time, conducts the process of selecting the science program, including General Observers and Archival Researchers, and establishes science metrics to evaluate success.

Our Mission

Science Policies manages the allocation of Hubble observing time, conducts the process of selecting the science program, including General Observers and Archival Researchers, and establishes science metrics to evaluate success.

It is the Institute point of contact with the Space Telescope Users Committee (STUC).

Our Vision Statement

The key objective of the Group is to optimize and maximize the scientific productivity of HST.

The goal is to foster the submission of the highest quality scientific programs through the identification of key scientific areas that require the investment of HST time to be studied and to foster broad multidisciplinary and multi-observatories collaboration.

How STScI Conducts the Proposal Review

HST programs are selected through competitive peer review. A broad range of scientists from the international astronomical community evaluates and ranks all submitted proposals, using a well-defined set of criteria and paying special attention to any potential conflicts of interest. The review panels and the Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC) offer their recommendations to the STScI Director. Based on these recommendations, the STScI Director makes the final allocation of observing time.

The TAC will include the TAC chair, the panel chairs, and vice-chairs to ensure broad expertise across the full range of scientific categories. The primary responsibility of the TAC is to review Large GOTreasury GO, and Legacy AR Proposals for scientific balance.

Peer Review Information

Peer review information for current and previous cycles is available on HDox. 

Access HDox

Additional Resources

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HST Help Desk 

Please contact the HST Help Desk with any questions.