Some of the important changes for Period 113 are summarised here:

• To maximize your scheduling chances, please check the CfP for the newly introduced discussion of over and under-subscribed observing conditions for the upcoming period.
• Please be aware of the high demand on UT4, particularly in the 9 < RA < 14h range, as this could impact scheduling.
• You are encouraged to take advantage of the VLT/I-ALMA and VLT/I - XMM Newton joint programmes, as they offer unique opportunities for collaboration and research.
• Make sure to check the Call for Proposals (CfP) for any upcoming restrictions at VLTI-UT, as this information may affect your submission.
• As ESO is considering decommissioning VISIR due to low demand, this may be one of the last chances to apply for its utilization.
• As a reminder, please note that Large Programmes are not offered during odd periods, so plan your submissions accordingly.

Relevant reminders:

• Since Period 110, ESO has been employing Distributed Peer Review (DPR) for proposals requesting a total time (including overheads) of less than 16 hours. Exceptions to this general rule are proposals including at least one ToO run, joint VLT/I-ALMA (XMM-Nexwton) and DDT proposals. All other proposals submitted for the regular cycle will be reviewed by the OPC and the panels. In this paradigm, PIs of proposals qualifying for DPR accept to review ten proposals submitted by their peers. Correspondingly, they accept that their proposals are reviewed by ten peers who have also submitted proposals in Period 113. Users should thus familiarize themselves with the rules for Distributed Peer Review.

• Since Period 110, a new set of scientific keywords has replaced the OPC categories. Users must select at least two keywords and at most five keywords (ten for Large Programmes). The keywords must be selected in decreasing order of relevance (i.e., the first selected keyword is the most relevant). Users should also keep their scientific expertise keywords in their user profiles up to date.

• Applicants are reminded that the Dual-Anonymous Peer Review has been fully deployed since Period 108. Applicants must prepare their proposals following the anonymisation rules and examples

• HARPS/NIRPS time-sharing is available at the 3.6m telescope. Please consult the Period 113 document to check details on how to participate and set up the P1 system.

• Users requesting to use both NIRPS and HARPS should select NIRPS instrument in P1 and declare the intention of using both instruments in the Special Remarks field of the proposal.

• The installation and commissioning of SoXS  will start in Period 113. EFOSC2 is offered in P113, it is expected to be decommissioned during Period 113.