Patagonian Icefield Research Program 2026
The sixth expedition of the Patagonian Icefield Research Program will take place at Bernal Glacier between November 11th and 30th, 2026. This is our third expedition to Bernal Glacier, which is the largest of the five outlet glaciers that descend from Cordillera de Sarmiento into the waters of Fiordo de las Montañas (the fjord of the mountains). Bernal Glacier is located 60 km west of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia. There, surrounded by Patagonian fjords, we will spend 14 days on this fascinating glacier in the heart of Kawésqar National Park, where students will learn to work and coexist with a natural, wild, and pristine environment.
We will reach Bernal Glacier with a 4-hour navigation in a fast boat and set up our camp within a Lenga Forest on the Little Ice Age moraine of Bernal Glacier, which we will be able to reach every day with a 30-minute walk. To learn more about the area, you can have a look at the UNCHARTED Project and their map of the Cordillera de Sarmiento.
Important dates
May 1, 2026
Student and Scholarship applications open (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries )
May 1, 2026
Volunteer faculty applications open
May 25, 2026
Information Session
June 1, 2026
Volunteer faculty application deadline
June 8, 2026
Scholarship application deadline (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries )
June 5, 2026
Volunteer faculty selection results informed
June 16, 2026
Scholarship recipients published
June 30, 2026
Students application deadline
July 7, 2026
Student selection results published
September 01, 2026
Enrollement fee due (for students without scholarship)
November 11, 2026
PIRP 2026 Starts!
Meeting in Puerto Natales for introductions and gear check at 10:00 AM
November 12, 2026
Tent camp setup practices and other activities in Puerto Natales
November 13, 2026
Transportation from Puerto Natales to the base camp at Bernal Glacier
November 14-15, 2026
Learning life in the field techniques
November 16-18, 2026
Learning glaciology field techniques
November 19-25, 2026
Work on research projects
November 26, 2026
Return to Puerto Natales
November 27, 2026
Data sorting, analysis and presentations preparation
November 28, 2026
Potluck and quick presentations to the Puerto Natales community at 7:00 p.m. on Cacique Mulato restaurant
November 29, 2026
Data sorting and projects discussions
November 30, 2026
End of the program at 10 AM