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January 2026 Illuminator Newsletter

Shining a Light on Match News that Matters

This issue of the Illuminator includes:

NRMP® Update on the Congressional Inquiry

The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has published a Letter to the Community from President and CEO Dr. Donna Lamb offering essential insight into the recent congressional inquiry surrounding the transition to residency and the U.S. physician pipeline. Specifically, the letter provides:

  • valuable context surrounding the history of NRMP and the events that led to establishment of an antitrust exemption for U.S. matching programs; 
  • a summary of congressional concerns, highlights from the congressional hearing, and how both mischaracterize The Match and the transition to residency landscape more broadly; and
  • robust perspective on the real and intended scope of the exemption and how its repeal will not serve to strengthen the transition or physician pipeline.

At a time of heightened scrutiny, understanding the implications for future physicians is critical. NRMP encourages the medical education community to read Dr. Lamb’s letter and to voice your support of The Match® with your local and national leadership.

Main Residency Match® Deadlines

Program and Institution Deadlines – January 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Friday, January 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET is an important deadline for programs in the 2026 Main Residency Match: 

Quota Change and Withdrawal Deadline – Program directors must log into the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system and review their quota (the number of positions the program is attempting to fill through the Match) by January 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This is also the final day for programs to withdraw from the Match, if they will not be participating this year.

SOAP Participation Status Deadline – Programs that intend to participate in the Match Week Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) must set the program’s SOAP Participation Status to “Yes” in the R3 system. Programs that have not filled all their positions once the matching algorithm has been processed are eligible to participate in SOAP. Programs that choose not to participate in SOAP and who have unfilled positions after the matching algorithm has been processed, must wait to fill open positions until after SOAP concludes.  

Joint A/P Program Arrangement Deadline – Institutions and programs in the Main Residency Match have the option to link an advanced PGY-2 program with a preliminary PGY-1 program in the R3 system. Linking a preliminary position with an advanced training position allows programs to create a training pathway at the same institution for applicants interested in specialties that begin in the PGY-2 year.  

Applicant Standard Registration Deadline – January 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Applicants who do not register for the 2026 Main Residency Match before Friday, January 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET, will incur an additional fee of $50 for late registration; however, they will be able to register for the Match until the Rank Order List Certification Deadline on Wednesday, March 4, at 9 p.m. ET. Applicants should be aware that when ranking opens on Monday, February 2, programs will not be able to rank them if they are not registered with the NRMP. 

Assistance is available from the NRMP Support Team Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET by emailing support@nrmp.org or calling 866-653-NRMP (6767). 

Upcoming Webinars for Medical Schools, Residency Programs, and Fellowship Programs

Medical schools – The NRMP is hosting a Verifying Graduation Credentials for the Main Residency Match webinar on Thursday, January 22, at 1 p.m. ET. Geared toward NRMP medical school officials and administrators, the webinar will include how to verify the graduation credentials of your students and graduates to participate in the Match, including important deadlines, using the R3 system, and policy information. We’ll also cover important ranking reminders to provide your students. Registration is required.

Residency programs – We are hosting a Ranking Applicants in the 2026 Main Residency Match webinar on Tuesday, January 27, at 1 p.m. ET. Learn how the ranking process and matching algorithm work, and understand the roles and responsibilities of program staff in ranking applicants using the R3 system. We’ll also cover key topics including the upcoming Quota Change Deadline, setting your SOAP participation status, and important Match policies to help you navigate the process successfully. Registration is required.

Fellowship programs – The NRMP is hosting two Introduction to the Fellowship Match webinar sessions. The webinar will provide information about program staff roles and responsibilities, managing your program’s participation in the Match, and important policy information. Whether your program is new to the NRMP or you are a veteran program director or coordinator who needs a refresher, this webinar covers all the basics to prepare you for your upcoming fellowship Match.

Thursday, January 15, at 1 p.m. ET

Tuesday, July 28, at 1 p.m. ET

Please register for the session that works best for you. Registration is required.

Results of the Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Fellowship Match

The NRMP celebrated Match Day on December 3 for the 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match. This year, 8,526 resident physicians matched to fellowship training programs for the 2026 appointment year. 

The Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match is the largest of the 22 Fellowship matches managed by the NRMP as part of its Specialties Matching Service® (SMS®). This year, the Match encompassed 40 subspecialties in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics along with Addiction and other multidisciplinary subspecialties. There were 3,777 program tracks that submitted certified rank order lists, an increase of 68 from 2024. Those programs collectively offered 9,950 positions, an increase of 301 over last year, of which 8,526 (85.7 percent) were filled. The number of active applicants (those who submitted rank order lists for the Match) totaled 10,840, an increase of 586 compared to last year, with 8,526 matching to training, an increase of 213 from 2024. 

“The 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match underscores continued interest in and importance of subspecialty training in meeting the complex health care needs of patients nationwide,” said Donna L. Lamb, DHSc, MBA, BSN, NRMP President and CEO. “With growth noted in both program and applicant participation, it is clear the graduate medical education community values NRMP’s Specialties Matching Service as a means of offering and securing highly specialized training opportunities that align physician interests with community needs.” 

Read the press release for specialty and applicant highlights as well as notable trends and view the infographic and Match Results Statistics report for further information.

Fellowship Match News

Welcoming Two New Specialties to the Specialties Matching Service

The NRMP is excited to welcome Neuroendovascular Intervention and Neurosurgical Oncology to the Specialties Matching Service!

Institutional officials should reach out to their programs to ensure they are participating in the Neuroendovascular Intervention or Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship Matches, which open for registration on Wednesday, February 11. A new specialty newsletter with additional details will be sent to programs later this month.

We look forward to supporting fellowship applicants and programs in a successful matching process!

Match Participation Agreements Available for SMS Matches Opening After January 1, 2026

The Match Participation Agreements for all Fellowship Matches opening after January 1, 2026, are now posted to the Policies page. Updates include:

  • Language encouraging ethical and professional behavior from the time of Match registration; and 
  • Extra provisions for Match outcomes reporting to medical schools for graduates matching to fellowship

Please review the Match Participation Agreements and if you have questions, please reach out to policy@nrmp.org. We look forward to supporting you through the 2026 matching process. 

Watch and Share! Letters of Interest and the Match Video

Letters of interest are always a hot topic among applicants this time of year. Watch our Letters of Interest and the Match video! Listen as program directors and advisors talk about how they view letters of interest and hear from the NRMP policy team about post-interview communication.

Policy Corner: Complete, Timely, and Accurate Information

Open and honest communication is a cornerstone of The Match, which is why the Match Participation Agreements mandate that participants provide complete, timely, and accurate information throughout the recruitment, interview, ranking, matching, and onboarding processes. Here we highlight key elements of NRMP’s policies on the topic and provide clarification on common questions.

Important Elements to the Policy

  • Programs must provide a copy of the appointment agreement matched applicants will be expected to sign, if available, prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline. Applicants must be notified of any subsequent material changes. (Section 6.3.1 – Match Agreement for Programs)
  • Programs must communicate, in writing, all institutional policies regarding eligibility criteria (e.g. expected credentials, pre-employment testing, background checks, licensure, etc.) applicants would complete if matched to the program and obtain signed confirmation from interviewees prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline. (Section 6.3.1 – Match Agreement for Programs)
  • Applicants must submit complete, timely, and accurate information through the 45th day following the start date as listed in the appointment contract for the position obtained through the Match or SOAP. Information to disclose includes, among other things, anything that could impact the ability to satisfy program requirements; circumstances that may delay or adversely impact an applicant’s ability to commence training; or information relevant to licensure status or visa status. (Section 6.3 – Match Agreement for Applicants)

Specific to the Main Residency Match:

  • Programs must disclose their required application service(s)/process(es) at the start of recruitment for both the Main Residency Match and SOAP. (Section 6.3.1 – Match Agreement for Programs)
  • Medical schools also must submit complete, timely, and accurate information. School officials must report to the program(s) any change in academic status, graduation date, or eligibility for applicants who have matched or accepted a position through SOAP. (Section 5.2 – Match Agreement for Schools)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are programs required to obtain a signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of institution and program policies and eligibility requirements from all applicants or only those who interview with the program?

Programs should obtain signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of receipt of policies from all applicants they interview. Programs are not required to obtain the signature of applicants they did not interview; however, programs should ensure information is made available via electronic (website) or written means. 

When should programs provide institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements to applicants?

Information pertaining to institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements should be made available to all applicants at the start of the transition cycle. This can be easily accomplished by posting the information to the program’s website. That said, policy information and eligibility requirements must be provided to all applicants who interview with a program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or prior to an offer extended during SOAP.

What if my program makes changes to our eligibility requirements after interviews (e.g., the types of visas sponsored by the institution)?

We recognize that institutional policies regarding applicant eligibility and appointment can change unexpectedly; however, programs must convey those changes to all applicants interviewed or scheduled to be interviewed and must update electronic and written documentation as soon as possible. NRMP recommends that programs obtain written confirmation from applicants that updated policies were shared/communicated.

Do programs have to disclose the application process(es) they intend to use for both Main Match and SOAP to applicants?

Yes, NRMP policy requires that programs inform applicants about the specific application service(s) or process(es) they intend to use at the start of recruitment. NRMP provides that information to applicants and other stakeholders through its program directory.

For any questions regarding Match policies, please contact NRMP Policy at policy@nrmp.org. We are here to help and look forward to supporting you throughout the 2026 Main Residency Match cycle.

Looking for more ways to ensure you are aligned with Match policies and obligations? View:

Upcoming Deadlines

Psychiatry, Sports Medicine

  • January 7, 12 p.m. ET: Match Day

Main Residency Match Standard Registration Deadline, Quota Change and Withdrawal Deadline, Joint A/P Program Arrangement Deadline, and SOAP Participation Status Deadline

  • January 30, 11:59 p.m. ET

Careers

NRMP is growing to meet the needs of the community. We currently have two positions open:

  • Data Analyst
  • Senior Business Intelligence Analyst

For more information, please visit our Careers page. NRMP is an equal opportunity employer.