01.12.2025 | 00:00
Education, science and community
The fifth expedition of the Patagonian Icefield Research Program will take place at Bernal Glacier between November 12 and December 1, 2025. This is our second 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 twelve days on this fascinating glacier, in the heart of Kawésqar National Park, where the 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
June 16, 2025: Student and Scholarship applications open (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries)
July 03, 2025: Volunteer faculty application deadline
July 10, 2025: Scholarship application deadline (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries)
August 7, 2025: Student application deadline
Click here to view the full list of important upcoming dates.
Information for prospective students
Who can apply?
Graduate students in geosciences (i.e. master’s and Ph.D. students). Applications by students from other related sciences (such as biology, math, physics, chemistry, etc.) can be considered if they are working on projects directly related to glaciers. Applications from recently graduated Master’s and Ph.D. programs will also be considered.
When and where will the program take place?
From November 12 to December 1, 2025. Participants are required to arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile and meet on November 12, 10:00 AM at Casa Raky (map). From there, the program will arrange and cover transport to the field site at Bernal Glacier (map).
How much are the program fees?
USD$3.000. This amount is divided between a USD$ 500 enrollment fee due on September 4, 2025, and a USD$ 2,500 field fee due the first day of the field campaign (November 12, 2025).
Photo by Diego Jimenez on Unsplash.