Research Fellowships for Unmatched Orthopaedic Applicants: What Can They Expect?

Abstract

Introduction: Unmatched orthopaedic surgery applicants often pursue research fellowships to strengthen their residency applications. The aims of this study were to (1) report the trend of the number of orthopaedic research fellowships offered online between 2019 and 2024, (2) describe the characteristics of research fellowships available to unmatched applicants, and (3) assess the quality of support received by unmatched applicants who complete research fellowships.

Methods: An online orthopaedic forum was retrospectively reviewed to identify job postings for medical student research fellowships in the 2019 to 2020 and 2024 to 2025 academic years. Information regarding expected mentorship and funding described in these postings was collected. Surveys were administered electronically to assess the funding received and perceived levels of mentor advocacy among unmatched orthopaedic applicants who had completed research fellowships between 2022 and 2024.

Results: The number of orthopaedic research fellowships offered online increased by 165% (54-143) between 2019 and 2024, corresponding with a rate of 18 new fellowships offered per year. For the 2024 to 2025 academic year, 80 fellowships (56%) were available to unmatched applicants. The minority of online postings for these positions described support in the match (49%), the specific amount of funding offered (36%), a successful match track record for prior fellows (20%), and contact information of current or prior fellows (11%). The average amount of publicly offered funding was $32,537 (range, $18,000 to $65,000). Among 31 unmatched applicants who responded, the average amount of funding received was $38,180 ± 11,719. Most respondents rated advocacy from research fellowship mentors as high (53%) or moderate (40%), met with their mentors weekly or biweekly (63%), and received feedback on their residency applications (83%).

Conclusion: Over the past 5 years, the number of orthopaedic research fellowships available to unmatched applicants has more than doubled. Although perceived advocacy was rated highly by most unmatched research fellows, fewer than half of the online postings for these positions provided details regarding financial compensation and support during the match cycle. Improvements in transparency related to fellowship characteristics are warranted to assist unmatched orthopaedic applicants in making informed decisions when pursuing research years between match cycles.

Level of evidence: N/A.