For the 2026 appointment year, hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) is participating in the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) Medical Specialties Matching Program (MSMP). The MSMP is specific to ACGME-accredited fellowship programs.
| 2026 MSMP Participation Timeline | |
|---|---|
| NRMP Preloads the R3 System | May 2026 |
| ERAS 2023 Season Begins | June 2026 |
| ERAS – fellowship applicants may begin submitting applications | July 2026 |
| ERAS – programs may begin reviewing applications | July 15, 2026 |
| NRMP Welcome Newsletter | August 2026 |
| NRMP Registration Opens | August 26, 2026 |
| Rank List Opens | September 30, 2026 |
| Quota Change Deadline | October 28, 2026 |
| Rank List Deadline | November 18, 2026 |
| Match Day | December 2, 2026 |
| ERAS 2021 Season Ends | May 31, 2026 |
Benefits
Participation in the NRMP Medical Specialties Match offers many benefits:
- Allows applicants and programs to consider all options before making a decision
- Creates an impartial venue for matching programs’ and applicants’ preferences
- Provides applicants with the opportunity to cross-match within the Medical Specialties Match
- Allows for a couples Match
- Establishes a uniform date for appointments to fellowship training programs
- Legitimizes recruitment by mainstreaming our subspecialty’s fellowship selection process
- Provides uniform time for both applicants and programs to make their selections without pressure
- Levels the playing field among programs
- Allows programs to interview more applicants
- Eliminates undue pressure on programs to select applicants before all interviews are complete
Match Processes and Policies
Visit the NRMP and ERAS websites for answers to frequently asked questions.
AAHPM continues to play a sponsorship and convening role related to the Match and is committed to doing everything we can to support physicians in becoming experts in HPM.
Contact AAHPM Member Services at [email protected] or 847.375.4712 with any questions.