Who Can Apply
The Open Access program, funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, guarantees the astronomical community access to the LCO network. LCO encourages proposals that seek to utilize the network's specialized capabilities (the global distribution of telescopes, the flexible scheduling, the rapid availability of data products) to make significant contributions to time-domain astronomy. Prospective authors should avoid submitting proposals with science goals that directly compete with LCO Key Projects.
Time Available
The Open Access program provides 425 hours on the 1-m telescopes, 80 hours on the 2-m telescopes, and 80 hours on the 0.4-m telescopes in each of the 2025A-2028B semesters. Time is charged as it is used, including observation overhead, but not weather or technical downtime.
Where to Apply
Proposals may be submitted to the LCO Observation Portal.
Time Allocation Process
The time allocation process is managed by LCO. [During the NSF-funded Open Access program (2017-2024), the time allocation process was managed by the NOIRLab.] A time allocation committee (TAC), consisting of scientists not affiliated with LCO, reviews the scientific merits of the proposals and provides a ranked list of the proposals to the LCO Director. LCO staff scientists support the selection process by assessing the technical feasibility of proposals and answering questions from proposal authors via a virtual help desk. The scientific and technical reviews are sent to proposal PIs, whether or not the proposals are accepted.