The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was successfully launched on December 25, 2021, and is fully operational as of July 2022. JWST offers extensive photometric and spectroscopic capabilities spanning the wavelength range 0.7 to 28 microns. Investigators of any nationality or affiliation may submit and be included on JWST proposals.
Observations with the Gemini telescopes have laid the groundwork for many early JWST programs. Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab is introducing the JWST Synergies Proposal Category to foster development of science programs that require a combination of Gemini and JWST observations.
It is not necessary for JWST observations to have already been approved to submit a proposal in this category. It should be also noted that this is not a "joint" Gemini and NASA Space Observatories Time proposal per se (i.e., JWST time is not awarded through this proposal category). Starting in semester 23B, it is expected that joint proposals between JWST and NOIRLab telescopes, including the US share of Gemini, will be supported. This future support is likely to be at a similar level to the current support of HST, Chandra and Fermi, i.e. 5% of the US time. See Section 3.10 of the NOIRLab Call for Proposals.
For a proposal to be considered as part of this category, proposers must
The TAC will consider the connection between the proposed Gemini and JWST observations as part of the review process. The proposal would be assessed based on the science expectations for the full program, including both the JWST observations (whether approved for Cycle 1, or envisioned for Cycle 2 and beyond) and Gemini observations. No quotas on the fraction of overall time allocated to proposals in this category will be imposed.