Please note that the Policies & Procedures document is the definitive reference for all AO Call requirements, while the information provided on these webpages is solely intended to offer quick and user‑friendly explanations of selected topics.

Proposal Software

An integral part of bringing your scientific idea to paper will be supported by the proposal software ESA and the Consortium are providing for the Guest Observers (GO) Programme. These are the ESA Science Campaign Handling System (CHS) and the PLATO Call for Proposals Toolset (CfP). Note that accessing the proposal software is a two step process: (a) you must have a valid ESA cosmos account and (b) this Cosmos account must also be "registered" in the PLATO GO system - if it is not registered then you cannot use the CHS tools (see Registration). The main components are described below, along with a link to all technical details at the end of this page.

Access CHS & CfP

User Manual

Campaign Handling System (CHS)

The ESA Science Campaign Handling System (CHS) is the online platform used by the PLATO mission (and various other missions) to manage all GO proposal submissions and their review process. Through the CHS, users log in with their Cosmos credentials, create and edit proposals, upload scientific and technical documents, define target lists, and ultimately submit their applications for PLATO’s Announcements of Opportunity (AO). The system provides step‑by‑step panels to guide proposers through every required element. Importantly, it integrates the PLATO-specific Call for Proposals Toolset (CfP), ensuring that proposers can evaluate their target lists before submission.

Call for Proposals Toolset (CfP)

The PLATO Call for Proposals Toolset (CfP) is the software module integrated into the CHS that processes and validates the targets submitted in GO proposals. It automatically interprets the user‑provided target list, retrieves identifying information from external catalogues (such as Gaia DR3, Hipparcos and Tycho), checks for duplicates, determines whether a target is already part of the Prime Sample or previous GO programmes, estimates noise‑to‑signal performance where possible, and evaluates observability within the PLATO fields. Based on this analysis, the CfP generates the mandatory output files required for proposal submission, helping the proposers to ensure that all proposed targets are scientifically valid and compatible with PLATO’s instrument constraints.

CHS & CfP User Manual

The CHS & CfP User Manual (v1.0) is the official guide for preparing and submitting GO proposals. It explains how to navigate the CHS step-by-step, describing each required proposal component, from PI information to scientific justification to technical files to target lists. In addition, the manual describes how the CfP tool validates proposed targets, identifies duplicates, evaluates observability, and generates all mandatory files for a successful submission. Together, these instructions outline the complete set of practical steps needed to ensure applicants can prepare and submit high‑quality proposals for PLATO’s complementary science programme.

Current Version

CHS & CfP User Manual - v1.0 released on 7 April 2026

Questions about the PLATO mission or its Guest Observers Programme? Please contact our PLATO Helpdesk. This will connect you with our PLATO Science Operations Centre and technical specialists from our PLATO Mission Consortium, and our team will be happy to assist you. This website was last updated on 7 April 2026.