November 2026 Illuminator Newsletter
Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: 2027 Main Residency Match® News and Reminders Applicant Match History in…
Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: 2027 Main Residency Match® News and Reminders Applicant Match History in…
The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released three new reports offering first-of-their-kind analyses of key factors influencing the transition to residency, expanding the…
The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released Matched, Unmatched, and Beyond: Applicant Characteristics and Residency Placement Outcomes, 2022–2025, a first-of-its-kind report that considers…
Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: 2027 Main Residency Match® News and Reminders Medical Schools: Upload Rising…
In collaboration with NBME, the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released a new report, Characteristics of Applicants Included on Residency Program Rank Order Lists…
The NRMP Board of Directors is seeking nominations for directors whose terms of service would begin on July 1, 2027. Specific vacancies include: Deadline for…
This issue of the Illuminator includes:
The NRMP® is pleased to introduce five new members to its 20-member Board of Directors. Please welcome:
Learn more about NRMP’s newly appointed Board members. Their terms commence on July 1.
The NRMP gratefully acknowledges the service and support of Dr. E. Sander Connolly, Dr. Kathy Lazarus, Dr. Dakota Marshall, Mr. Sujay Ratna, and Dr. Acacia Williams, whose terms on the Board expired June 30. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to the NRMP!
Starting July 13, 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.
What does this mean? When a user registers for a Match or logs into the R3 system for the first time after July 13, they will be prompted to enroll in MFA by entering their U.S. mobile phone number or an email address. The user will receive a 6-digit verification code by text or email, and they will enter that verification code to prevent unauthorized users accessing their account.
Stay tuned for additional information and resources about MFA setup and enrollment.
Programs in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Vascular Surgery will again have the opportunity to participate in the Voluntary Rank Order List (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 so no additional changes can be made. 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.
For residency applicants and medical school staff, here are some important items to keep in mind:
For more information, please view the Voluntary ROL Lock page or email pilot@nrmp.orgwith any questions.
Upcoming Webinars for Fellowship Match 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.
The NRMP takes very seriously the privacy and security of the information entrusted to us by all Match participants as well as the information collected about Match participants from other organizations.
Section 14.0 of the MPA outlines the NRMP’s use of Match information – below are some highlights to consider.
The NRMP is committed to handling your data with integrity, discretion, and care and to ensuring all parties to a Match recognize the confidentiality of information submitted to and stored in the R3 system.
Questions regarding NRMP policies should be sent to policy@nrmp.org.
We are excited to announce that later this summer, NRMP will be releasing a comprehensive report on program signaling and how it relates to ranking and Match outcomes. This report will examine outcomes between 2023 and 2026 for all specialties participating in signaling within the AAMC’s ERAS system.
Need something to hold you over until this report is released? Visit our Research Insights page on the NRMP website, where we have publications and presentations on program signaling available.
Publications/Research Briefs
Presentations

Surgical Critical Care
Headache Medicine, Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Pain Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Headache Medicine, Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Surgical Critical Care
NRMP is growing to meet the needs of the community. We currently have four positions open:
For more information, please visit our Careers page. NRMP is an equal opportunity employer.