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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.

Background:. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2021 orthopaedic surgery residency match outcomes. Because in-person away rotations and interviews were canceled during the 2020 to 2021 application cycle, we hypothesized that applicants would match at their home program at a higher rate in 2021 than in previous years. Methods:. We queried allopathic orthopaedic surgery residency websites and social media accounts for names of residents and medical school information for cohorts matching from 2017 through 2021. To assess availability of and participation in virtual away rotations, we administered a survey to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited allopathic orthopaedic surgery residency programs. The primary outcome was the annual proportion of applicants matching at the program affiliated with their medical school (“home program”). Subgroup analyses were stratified by Doximity reputation ranking and availability of a virtual away rotation. Results:. We identified 2,632 residents who matched between 2017 and 2020 and 698 residents who matched in 2021. Overall home program match rate and likelihood of home matching were higher in 2021 compared with 2017 to 2020 (28% vs. 20%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.82, p < 0.001). The increase in the home match rate at programs ranked in the top 30 (27% vs. 20%, p = 0.034) was similar to the increase at programs ranked outside the top 30 (28% vs. 20%, p < 0.001). Of the 66 (48%) programs that responded to the survey, 16 (24%) offered a virtual away rotation. Programs with a higher Doximity ranking were more likely than lower-ranked programs to offer a virtual away rotation (OR = 6.75, 95% CI 1.95-23.4, p = 0.003). Home match rates did not differ significantly between programs that offered a virtual away rotation and those that did not (26% vs. 32%, p = 0.271). Conclusions:. A higher proportion of orthopaedic surgery residency applicants matched at their home program in 2021 compared with previous years. Limitations on in-person activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this rise. Level of Evidence:. N/A.