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March 2026 Illuminator Newsletter

Shining a Light on Match News that Matters

This issue of the Illuminator includes:

Certify Your Rank Order List for the Main Residency Match® by March 4 at 9 p.m. ET

As we approach the Rank Order List Certification Deadline, please keep the following in mind:

  • Rank order lists (ROLs) can be created by entering applicants’ NRMP ID numbers directly on the ROL, using the “Find and Add Applicant” search feature or importing an electronic file. The NRMP ID is the only ID that every Match-participating applicant will have and is the preferred ID for ranking applicants.
  • Programs should rank applicants based on true preference, not on how they believe applicants will rank the program. View the updated How the Matching Algorithm Works video.
  • The Match commitment is binding so programs should only rank applicants they wish to train and who are eligible for the program. View our policies page for additional resources.
  • Changes can be made to a rank order list after it has been certified until the Rank Order List Certification Deadline, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET. Any updates require the rank order list to be uncertified, edited, and re-certified by the program director. After the deadline, no changes are permitted.
  • Only certified rank order lists will be used in the Match.

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). To offer the highest level of customer service, on March 4, the Rank Order List Certification Deadline, staff will be available until 9 p.m. ET to answer questions you may have during the final deadline hours. 

Verifying Graduation Credentials for Medical Schools

Verification Deadline is March 4 at 9 p.m. ET

Medical schools must log into the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system to verify the graduation credentials of their students and graduates to participate in the Match and the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®). A support guide with step-by-step instructions is available to assist you through the verification process.

Medical schools must complete the graduation verification process by Wednesday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET.

Preparing for Match Week and SOAP: March 16 – 20

Match Week is almost here! On Monday, March 16, at 10 a.m. ET, program directors learn if their program(s) filled, applicants learn if they matched, and SOAP begins. 

SOAP provides a uniform system for programs to offer unfilled positions to eligible unmatched or partially matched applicants through a series of offer rounds during Match Week. With multiple application services participating in SOAP, we wanted to share resources available to you to prepare. 

Programs and Institutions:

Medical Schools:

Residency Applicants:

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

Watch and Share! Navigating the SOAP Process Video

Finding out you are unmatched and need to participate in SOAP can be overwhelming. Get advice from medical school advisors, program directors, and NRMP staff in our latest video about navigating the SOAP process. 

Join the Match Week and SOAP Listserv

NRMP will again this year host the Match Week and SOAP Listserv. The listserv is the official source for all Match Week and SOAP information, where questions can be asked and answered in real time. Representatives from the application service providers will also be available to answer any application-related questions. The listserv is “opt in” for medical school and program staff/faculty and is not intended for applicants.

Those interested in participating in the listserv should register before the start of Match Week on Monday, March 16. Registration will be posted on the NRMP homepage on Thursday, March 5. 

Celebrate Match Week!

As Match Week approaches, we want to wish all 2026 Main Residency Match participants a successful Match Week!

Please tag us in your social media posts so we can celebrate your accomplishments with you! Follow along with the Match Week celebrations by using #Match2026. We look forward to seeing the celebratory posts, photos, and videos from Match participants!

Policy Corner: Rules for Participating in SOAP

SOAP provides a uniform system for programs to offer unfilled positions to eligible unmatched or partially matched applicants. There are specific policies that govern SOAP, so we want to share a few highlights and reminders to make sure you are informed.

SOAP-Participating Programs:

  • Programs can only accept and consider applications from SOAP-eligible applicants during SOAP. 
  • Program staff can initiate contact with SOAP-eligible applicants only after receiving the applicant’s application as part of SOAP. 
  • Programs cannot ask SOAP-eligible applicants to indicate, verbally or in writing, whether they will accept an offer of a position if one is extended during SOAP. 
  • Programs can only offer positions to SOAP-eligible applicants until SOAP concludes on Thursday, March 19, at 9 p.m. ET. All positions must be offered and accepted only through the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system.
  • Offers extended and accepted during SOAP constitute a binding commitment. 

Non-SOAP Participating Programs:

  • Match-participating programs that elected not to participate in SOAP cannot solicit or consider applications from or extend offers of unfilled positions to any applicants until SOAP concludes.

Medical Schools:

  • Neither SOAP-eligible applicants nor their representatives may contact or communicate, verbally or in writing, with any SOAP-participating programs until the program has initiated contact after receiving the application.
  • SOAP-eligible unmatched applicants who wish to pursue an alternate course during Match Week to pursue interests other than clinical residency training may do so in lieu of participating in SOAP provided:
    • the position sought is not affiliated with a Match- or SOAP-participating residency program;
    • the position does not qualify for training credit in an ACGME-accredited residency program; and
    • the applicant does not submit any applications to SOAP-participating programs during Match Week.
  • Unmatched applicants who are SOAP-ineligible will not have access to the List of Unfilled Programs during SOAP and should not be provided with the list by the school official.
  • Unmatched applicants who are SOAP-ineligible can only apply to, interview, and accept positions with non-Match-participating programs at the published time during Match Week.
  • Unmatched applicants who are SOAP-ineligible can only apply to, interview, and accept positions with Match-participating programs after SOAP concludes.

Please visit the Match policies page on the website for access to Match Participation Agreements and the Codes of Conduct. For questions regarding Match policies, please contact NRMP Policy at policy@nrmp.org. We are here to help!

Fellowship Match Resources

New Fellowship Match Data Reports:

The NRMP has published data and reports reflecting the outcomes for the Specialties Matching Service® (SMS®) for the 2026 appointment year. Now available on the website are the annual Results and Data Specialties Matching Service®, 2026 Appointment Year and the Specialty Match Program Results for 23 Fellowship Matches for 81 subspecialties.

View the press release announcing the Results and Data report for position, program, specialty, and applicant highlights as well as the 2026 Specialties Matching Service infographic.

Webinar Recording:

The NRMP hosted a Fellowship Match Ranking and Results: What Program Staff Need to Know webinar and the recording and presentation slides are posted on the website.

The webinar, presented by Russette Blake, Operations Supervisor, and Felicia Moody, Senior Compliance Analyst, covers key topics, including the institutional user roles for entering and certifying the rank order list, how the matching algorithm works, what to expect on Match Day, and important Match policies to help you navigate the process successfully. 

Program Director and Applicant Surveys Launch Soon

The NRMP is gearing up to administer the 2026 Program Director and Applicant Surveys. Please look for the email invitation in your inbox on March 5. Surveys will remain open until March 15.

If you’re an Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Vascular Surgery program director who elected to participate in the Voluntary Rank Order List Lock pilot, you will receive a second survey specific to the pilot. Please take a moment to provide your thoughts! This is the first year of the pilot program, and we greatly value feedback about your experience to inform how the pilot evolves.

If you work with applicants directly, please encourage them to access their email invitation and complete the survey by March 15. For questions, please reach out to research@nrmp.org.

Upcoming Deadlines

Laryngology, Pathology, Pediatric Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Vascular Neurology

  • March 11, 12 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Radiology, Surgical Oncology

  • March 11, 12 p.m. ET: Match Opens

Epilepsy & Clinical Neurophysiology, Hand Surgery, Neuroendovascular Intervention, Neurosurgical Oncology

  • March 25, 12 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Careers

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

  • Client Support Specialist
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Engineer
  • Senior Business Intelligence Analyst

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