Click for the 2022A NASA Keck Call for Proposals

The call for proposals for NASA Keck time in observing semester 2022A (February 1 - July 31, 2022) is now open for professional research using the NASA allocation for telescope observing time at the W.M. Keck Observatory.

The opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator (PI) for the NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers, i.e. those with their principal affiliation at a U.S. institution.

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Online Submission Page

Key Dates

Friday, July 30, 2021: 2022A Call for Proposals and KSMS NOI submission site available

Monday, August 16, 2021 at 4 pm US PDT: Due date for required but non-binding NOIs for Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) programs

Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11 am PDT: DAPR informational meeting for proposers; recorded presentation can be viewed here.

Thursday, September 2, 2021: Deadline to request the required letters of support from NASA HQ and the supported project for both Key Strategic Mission Support and General Mission Support proposals.

Thursday, September 16, 2021 by 4 pm US PDT: All proposals and supporting letters due to NExScI by 4 pm US PDT

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Application Procedure

• Read the Proposer Guidelines for NASA Keck Dual Anonymous Reviews.
• View the Aug. 26 presentation for proposers on NASA Keck Dual Anonymous Proposal preparation and review
• Read the updated Call for Proposals for more details.
• Use of the templates for two parts of the Keck proposal, the anonymized Science Program and the non-anonymized Expertise and Access document, is required. See links under Highlight #1 below to download these templates.
• Generate the WMKO Coversheet on the W. M. Keck Observatory Observer Login Page to be uploaded with your proposal
• Submit your proposal here
• Questions? KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Highlights for 2022A:

1. Dual Anonymous Proposal Review (DAPR): Starting this semester, the NASA Keck TAC is using a DAPR process. Proposers will now prepare two documents: an anonymized Science Program and a non-anonymized Expertise and Access document. The following resources are provided to assist proposers with the implementation of DAPR.
   • DAPR Proposer Guidelines
   • Updated Call for Proposals
   • View the presentation on DAPR for NASA Keck here.
   • Updated FAQs
   • Required Science Program templates in Word and Latex.
   • Required Expertise and Access templates in Word and Latex.

   Additionally, we will have a webinar on August 26 at 11 AM PDT to review this information and answer your questions. View the recording here.

2. Call for Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) Programs: NASA is soliciting large Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) proposals in 2022A. Proposed projects may support past, present, and/or future missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). KSMS proposals must comply with DAPR.

   Required but non-binding Notices of Intent (NOIs) to submit a Key Strategic Mission Support (KSMS) proposal must be submitted to NExScI by Monday, August 16, 2021 by 4 pm US PDT. The PI and Co-I names and proposal title should not change once the NOI is submitted since we will use this information in selecting an appropriate review panel. After the NOI submission deadline, co-Is may be added to the proposal only with approval of the NASA Selection Official.

3. Time Domain Astronomy and Target of Opportunity programs: Observers can propose for both Time Domain Astronomy (cadence) and Target of Opportunity (ToO) programs. See Section IV for important details on cadence requests as well as the number of ToO interrupts allowed each semester.
4. Twilight Observing: Due to an approved 2021B multi-semester twilight observing program, the TAC is not accepting twilight observing proposals for 2022A. Twilight proposals will be accepted again for semester 2022B.
5. At-Home ("pajama mode") Observing:

   During the pandemic, Keck will support up to two observers for at-home observing: one primary and one secondary observer. Additional observers can join but cannot launch the VNC control system for the instruments. At-home observing requires the installation of software which only runs on Linux and macOS operating systems. At-home observers will be contacted by Keck staff and should work with this staff to install and test the software several days ahead of their run to allow time for troubleshooting.

6. Semester Notes and Considerations for the Keck and Subaru instruments: There are several significant periods of UNAVAILABILITY for 9 Keck instruments and the telescopes as well as for Subaru for the 2022A semester. Please read the Special Notes for Semester 2022A on the WMKO instrument page for complete instrument availability and information BEFORE you write your proposal.

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Useful Links

• Frequently Asked Questions
• The WMKO Instrument Page for the current semester with instrument availability information including on a time-swap basis with Subaru
• Remote Observing Facilities
• Keck Observatory Archive
• Successful NASA Keck Observing Proposals
• Keck Telescope Users Guide
• Template for the Keck PI Data Award report to ensure that all information is included. The final report can be submitted online.

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(last updated August 27th, 2021 15:38:35)