The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a private, not-for-profit corporation established in 1952 to provide a uniform date of appointment to positions in graduate medical education (GME). It is governed by its board of directors. Five medical/medical education organizations and four medical student organizations nominate candidates for election to the board: the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives, the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the AMA Medical Student Section, and the Consortium of Medical Student Organizations. Each year, the NRMP conducts a residency match that is designed to optimize the rank ordered choices of students and program directors. In the third week of March, the results of the match are announced.

The NRMP is not an application processing service; rather, it provides an impartial venue for matching applicants' and programs' preferences for each other consistently. Each year, approximately 16,000 U.S. medical school students participate in the residency match. In addition, another 18,000 "independent" applicants compete for the approximately 24,000 available residency positions. Independent applicants include former graduates of U.S. medical schools, U.S. osteopathic students, Canadian students, and graduates of foreign medical schools.

In 2006, the NRMP enrolled 3,888 programs in the Match, which altogether offered 24,085 positions. A total of 33,534 applicants participated in the Match. Of those, 15,502 were 2006 graduates of accredited U.S. medical schools and 18,032 were independent applicants.

Specialty Matching Services

The NRMP also conducts matches for fellowship positions in 34 sub-specialties, through its Specialty Matching Services. Those positions involve further training after completion of the initial residency program and lead to certification in a specialty (i.e., cardiology).

The fellowship matches are conducted throughout the year. Please verify each fellowship's respective Schedule of Dates.

Please contact the NRMP at (202) 862-6077 or 1-866-617-5834 if you have any further questions about fellowship matches.

Updated 08/05/2005