In the CaRMS 2026 R-1 match, first iteration, there will be two parallel streams.
 
One stream will be for Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs)/United States Medical Graduates (USMGs) without prior postgraduate training.

The second stream will be open to eligible International Medical Graduates (IMGs), including US Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) graduates, without prior postgraduate training. These positions are identified as IMG positions on the CaRMS site and for 2026 are available in Memorial’s Family Medicine and Internal Medicine programs. 

Individuals who match in the IMG-Family Medicine stream are required to sign a Family Medicine return in service agreement by March 24, 2026 for a period of two (2) years served in Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone (Region 5), or five (5) years served elsewhere in the province. Failure to do so will result in the offer of the postgraduate seat at Memorial to be rescinded.  

Unfilled first iteration positions from the Family Medicine IMG stream will be competitive in the second iteration, i.e. open to all applicants (CMGs, USMGs and IMGs who fulfill the eligibility criteria), and will also require a return in service agreement for a period of two (2) years served in Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone (Region 5), or five (5) years served elsewhere in the province.    

Return of Service Agreement Questions and Answers

1. What is Return in Service (RIS) Agreement?

Participants are eligible to complete a residency program that is funded by the Department of Health and Community Services (HCS), Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in exchange for a commitment to provide service within the province for a specific period of time.

2. What is the RIS Commitment for Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency Program, International Medical Graduate (IMG) Stream?

Applicants who match to the Family Medicine Residency Program, IMG Stream, at Memorial will be required to provide a RIS commitment to practice family medicine in the province for a period of two (2) years served in Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone (Region 5), or five (5) years served elsewhere in the province.

3. How and when does my service begin?

Upon successful completion of Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency Program, IMG Stream, the physician will provide family medicine practice services in Newfoundland and Labrador for a period of two (2) years served in Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone (Region 5), or five (5) years served elsewhere in the province.

Residents must begin work as a family physician in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador within three months of successful completion of Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency Program, IMG Stream.

The physician will provide to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador continuous and comprehensive family medicine services on a consistent basis.

4. What if I am unable to fulfil my RIS commitment?

A physician may request suspension or postponement of their RIS Agreement in writing to HCS; however, HCS will only consider a request for suspension or postponement in extenuating circumstances. Eligible reasons may include the physician’s serious personal illness, the physician’s maternity/parental leave, the serious illness or death of the physician’s dependant family member, or the physician’s additional medical training. HCS will decide whether to approve the request in its sole discretion.

Alternatively, failure to fulfil a RIS commitment may result in Default of the Agreement whereby the physician will be required to repay the Defaulted Amount.

5. What if I require medical accommodation in order to fulfil my RIS commitment?

Accommodations will be provided where possible in accordance with legislation.

6. What programs are currently available for family medicine physicians?

Family medicine residents may be eligible for a variety of recruitment and retention incentives including family practice programs, the physician signing bonus program, and bursaries.

For more information on incentives please visit https://workinhealthnl.ca/.

7. Where can I get further information?

For more information on recruitment and retention of physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador, please email Recruit@WorkInHealthNL.ca.

For more information on Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency Program, IMG Stream, please email Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine at fmassist@mun.ca.

For more information on or to apply for Family Practice Programs, please contact Medical Services, HCS, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at MedServicesPrograms@gov.nl.ca.

For more information on employment as a physician in Newfoundland and Labrador or for information on bursaries and incentives, please visit https://workinhealthnl.ca/.