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Call for FAST Science Observing Proposals

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), a Chinese national science facility, welcomes submission of science proposals for the upcoming observing period scheduled from August 2021 to July 2022. Users of any nationalities or affiliations are invited to submit proposals between 16:00 UT on 30th March 2021 and 16:00 UT on 15th May 2021 through the website http://fast.bao.ac.cn/proposal_submit. Information on the techniques and current performance of the telescope are available at http://fast.bao.ac.cn.

The FAST science operation covers both regular science programs and large programs. Please note that this Call only solicits regular science proposals, which usually take observing time no more than 100 hours. It is anticipated that about 1800 hours of observing time will be allocated to regular science programs. All proposals should make it clear that why the FAST is necessary for the requested observations.

The FAST started its full operation in January 2020, and is now completing its first science observing period. A list of previously accepted science proposals, including both regular science and large programs, can be found at https://fast.bao.ac.cn/cms/article/23/. Note that information of future approved proposals, including titles, PI names, abstracts, and scheduling priorities, will also be posted at the website. Science data obtained through a regular science program have a proprietary period of 12 months. Please see the FAST Data Policy posted at https://fast.bao.ac.cn/cms/article/86/ for more details. Proposers should query the FAST archive before planning observations to check if any existing data meet their scientific goals.

Should you have any further question about the telescope operation and proposal submission, please contact us at fast-proposal-support@nao.cas.cn.