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June 2026 Illuminator Newsletter

Shining a Light on Match News that Matters

This issue of the Illuminator includes:

2026 Main Residency Match® Outcome and Demographic Reports

Results and Data: 2026 Main Residency Match®

The NRMP® has published its annual Results and Data: 2026 Main Residency Match® report providing a comprehensive overview of position fill rates, placement rates, and Match outcomes for applicants and residency training programs across the United States.

Read the press release and download the Results and Data: 2026 Main Residency Match® report. 

Charting Outcomes™: Demographic Characteristics of Applicants in the Main Residency Match® and SOAP® 

In addition, Charting Outcomes™: Demographic Characteristics of Applicants in the Main Residency Match® and SOAP® report, has been updated to include data for the 2026 Match year. The report examines the demographic characteristics of residency applicants and encourages discussion about relationships among the unique characteristics of applicants, the specialties they pursue, and their experience in the Match. 

Explore the New 2026 State Snapshots

The NRMP is excited to share updated State Snapshots for the 2026 appointment year, an annual resource that details residency and fellowship Match outcomes at the state level. 

The State Snapshots have been updated this year with new features for the Main Residency Match®, including positions offered and filled trend data, in-state retention of seniors and graduates, and geographic distribution of seniors and graduates for PGY-1 training. The resource continues to provide a comprehensive look at overall placement rate and top specialties filled.

The State Snapshots are a valuable resource for medical education and health policy experts, demonstrating NRMP’s commitment to advancing informed discussions on physician workforce needs. To explore the 2026 State Snapshots, visit the Advocacy page.

Coming Soon: Multi-Factor Authentication for All Users

Starting mid-July, the NRMP will implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system, including institution, program, and medical school staff as well as residency and fellowship applicants.

Why is NRMP implementing MFA? MFA strengthens account security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to a password, helping prevent unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised. It also enhances protection of sensitive Match data including rank order lists, results, and reports for all users.

Stay tuned for additional information about setup and enrollment in advance of implementation.

Voluntary Rank Order List (ROL) Lock Pilot for Internal Medicine, Pediatric, and Vascular Surgery programs

Sign up is available in the R3 system for programs in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Vascular Surgery to participate in year two of the Voluntary ROL Lock pilot for the 2027 Main Residency Match. This pilot allows NRMP and participating programs to explore a voluntary feature that lets programs “lock” their certified rank order lists in the R3 system. The goal is to create a “no pressure” environment for applicants to make post-interview visits and learn more about programs before finalizing their rankings.

Each program and/or track participating in the Match in one of these three specialties should identify their intent to participate in the pilot in the NRMP’s R3 system. Program directors can indicate “yes” or “no” for each track by going to the program details in R3 system and clicking on the “Voluntary ROL Lock Participation” section.

Programs must sign up by Friday, October 16. 

For additional information and resources, visit the Voluntary ROL Lock page or contact pilot@nrmp.org.

NRMP’s Program Directory for Residency Applicants

Share the program directory with your Main Residency Match applicants!

The program directory displays participating program information and the application service being used for over 6,000 PGY-1 and PGY-2 programs participating in the NRMP’s Main Residency Match. It also lists key information such as locations, links to the institution and program websites, NRMP program code, and program type. This is a valuable resource for residency applicants as they research programs to apply to.

Main Residency Match Programs – Has your program’s application information been updated in the program directory? Make sure to log into the R3 system and update program information and choose which application service(s) your program(s) will be using for the Match season and SOAP. After a program is activated, review and update program information in the R3 system under the Program Directory Information tab. The program information and application service listed will be visible to applicants in the program directory, helping them understand how and where to apply to your programs.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the NRMP support staff between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET at 866-653-NRMP (6767), or by email at support@nrmp.org. 

Educational Webinars: Stay Informed with our Webinar Offerings

Upcoming Webinars

Fellowship programs – The NRMP is hosting an Introduction to the Fellowship Match webinar on Tuesday, July 28, at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will provide information about fellowship program staff roles and responsibilities, managing your program’s participation in the Fellowship Match, and policy reminders. Registration is required.

We are also hosting a Fellowship Match Ranking and Results: What Program Staff Need to Know webinar on Thursday, August 6, at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will cover 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. Registration is required.

Webinar Recordings

Residency programs – The NRMP hosted an Introduction to the 2027 Main Residency Match webinar and the webinar recording and presentation are available. The webinar provides an overview of the 2027 Main Residency Match calendar, program staff roles and responsibilities, activating and managing your program’s participation in the Match, policy reminders, and support resources.

Policy Corner: Why Match Policies Matter

Every month in the Illuminator, we use the Policy Corner to provide timely tips and guidance about Match policies and procedures to help constituents navigate through each phase of the NRMP’s matching programs. This month we want to share why we think Match policy is so important. 

NRMP implements policies that are central to processing a Match

The NRMP is deeply committed to implementing policies that ensure all Match participants have a clear path through the matching process. That includes building policies that highlight the unique eligibility requirements for Match participation, protect the right of every individual to rank confidentially and without coercion, and safeguard your personal information, ranking preferences, and Match outcomes.

NRMP implements policies that maintain fairness and transparency across the transition to residency

The NRMP also is the steward of policies that support a transition to residency experience built on integrity. We believe applicants and programs deserve access to open and honest information about each other that drives informed decisions about recruitment, matching, and training. Match participants also deserve a level of professionalism that respects and fosters healthy communication and interpersonal interaction, from interviews all the way through SOAP.

The NRMP has implemented a range of policies intended to limit coercion and gamesmanship and at the request of the medical education community has, over time, broadened its advocacy for transparency, fairness, and ethical behavior across the transition to residency cycle. We know Match policies can be consequential for participants, so we engage with the community throughout the year through webinars, presentations, and resource offerings to help you better understand your rights and responsibilities and how best to comply with Match rules. 

We encourage you to visit the Policies page on the website and read the Why Match Policy Matters page. The Policy Team is always available to answer questions or hear your ideas for new ways to talk about and educate on Match policies and procedures.  

Contact us anytime at policy@nrmp.org. We are happy to provide whatever assistance and support you need. 

Research Roundup: New Charting Outcomes™: Applicant Survey Results and Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results Reports Coming Late Summer

As we gear up for the release of the NRMP Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results, 2026 Main Residency Match® and Charting Outcomes™: Applicant Survey Results, 2026 Main Residency Match® reports in late summer, we wanted to remind you that the most recent versions are available to view on our website:

Looking for more details? We also have two research briefs available on the website that take a deeper dive into qualitative information from the 2024 Program Director Survey, including program signaling and how program directors approach holistic review.

Please reach out to research@nrmp.org with any questions or feedback!

Fellowship Match Resources

Match Results Statistics Reports

Did you know that NRMP publishes a Match Results Statistics report at the conclusion of each Fellowship Match? So far this year, Match Results Statistics reports have been published for the following Fellowship Matches:

Waldo Wentz’s Retirement

Wishing you all the best, Waldo!

Waldo Wentz, NRMP Match Operations Manager, is retiring on June 30, after 33 years at the NRMP. 

With over 40 years of medical education experience, Waldo has literally seen it all: 

  • He welcomed the NRMP in its move from Chicago to Washington, DC – anyone remember the offices at 1776 Connecticut Ave NW and 2501 M Street NW? 
  • He experienced the transition from paper rank order lists and mailing (yes, mailing!) Match results to applicants and programs, to the web-based R3 system. There was even a dedicated fax machine for rank order lists! 
  • He witnessed the growth of NRMP from a small organization affiliated with the Association of American Medical Colleges to an independent association with a robust team specializing in operations, policy, IT, communications, research, data, and finance. 

Waldo is recognized as the face of NRMP to many of our constituents. NRMP’s Support Team knows how many times an institution, program, or medical school contacts us and specifically asks for Waldo. He is trusted by constituents and known for his expertise and institutional knowledge of the NRMP. 

Among NRMP staff, Waldo is known for his love of throwing a party and celebrating holidays and milestone events such as birthdays, work anniversaries, going away parties, and more! His enthusiasm for decorating the office was unmatched! He is the first person to make sure you know how the matching algorithm works and exemplifies the ultimate team player. 

Send your well wishes to Waldo! Please take a moment to share a message, a favorite memory, or a few kind words as we send him off with the appreciation he truly deserves. You can also add a photo, record a video message, or share a quick voice memo to make your contribution even more personal. Let’s fill this online retirement card with gratitude worthy of someone so many colleagues, constituents, and friends have counted on (and asked for by name!).

We wish you all the best as you transition into retirement, Waldo! 

Upcoming Deadlines

Radiology, Surgical Oncology

  • June 3, 9 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Certification Deadline

Headache Medicine, Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

  • June 10, 12 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Surgical Critical Care

  • June 10, 12 p.m. ET: Match Opens

Radiology, Surgical Oncology

  • June 17, 12 p.m. ET: Match Day

Pain Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology

  • June 24, 12 p.m. ET: Match Opens

Careers

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

  • Client Support Specialist
  • Compliance Analyst
  • Data Engineer
  • Manager, DevOps
  • Senior Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Senior Public Relations Specialist

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