Research Project on the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse Receives Funding

Map: solmyrkvi2026.is

The ITRC has received funding from the Regional Research Fund (Byggðarannsóknarsjóður) for the project Solar Eclipse 2026: Governance and Coordination in Rural Communities. The study will examine how municipalities and other key stakeholders prepare for and manage increased visitor demand associated with the total solar eclipse that will pass over parts of Iceland in August 2026. Particular attention will be given to governance, coordination, and collaboration among organizations responsible for infrastructure, services, and visitor safety in West Iceland and the Westfjords.

Using a qualitative research approach, the project will involve observations of regional coordination groups during the planning phase, followed by interviews with key stakeholders after the event. The research aims to generate new knowledge on how rural destinations can effectively respond to temporary surges in visitation and maintain resilient infrastructure and service systems during large-scale natural events

On behalf of the ITRC, Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir formally received the grant from the Regional Research Fund at the Annual Meeting of the Icelandic Regional Development Institute (Byggðastofnun), which was held in Kirkjubæjarklaustur on 28 May.

Pictures: Hjalti Árnason.