New ACGME Concurrent Application Pilot Program

The ACGME recently launched the Concurrent Application Pilot Program to accelerate the review process of new Sponsoring Institution and program applications, particularly those with a clear mission to serve Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/Ps). This initiative aligns with the ACGME’s broader framework to expand and strengthen Graduate Medical Education (GME) in communities where access to care is limited.

This MUA/P framework focuses on four key areas designed to support and encourage the development of GME programs that directly address healthcare disparities in underserved regions:

• Enhancing ACGME Support

  • Develop learning activities related to MUA/Ps

  • Establish advisory groups for MUA/Ps and GME

  • Enhance data collection systems to measure GME in MUA/Ps

• Engaging with the ACGME Review Process

  • Collaborate with ACGME committees

  • Align accreditation with external regulations and processes

  • Monitor progress toward establishing new GME programs in MUA/Ps

• Facilitating Effective Institutional Oversight and Administration

  • Consider various institutional models that are successful

  • Streamline the accreditation application process

  • Describe the learning and working environment infrastructure

• Understanding ACGME Compliance Challenges

  • Important considerations for GME in MUA/Ps:

    • Curriculum

    • Program personnel

    • Educational experiences

    • Retention

    • Primary and participating sites

    • Supervision

Under the current process, new Sponsoring Institutions must first receive Initial Accreditation from the ACGME before applying for a new residency or fellowship program. The Concurrent Application Pilot streamlines this timeline by allowing hospitals or healthcare systems to submit both the Sponsoring Institution and program applications simultaneously through the ACGME’s Accreditation Data System (ADS).

This integrated approach enables both applications to be reviewed concurrently, with accreditation decisions anticipated within an expedited 9–12-month timeframe. This pilot has the potential to significantly benefit underserved and rural communities by reducing the time it takes to launch new training programs, bringing much-needed healthcare resources to these areas more quickly.

The pilot will run for one year, from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and will accept up to 12 new Sponsoring Institutions.

For questions or support in developing new Institutional and program applications, please contact us.