clinical research studies for money

The 15 Best Sites for Paid Research Studies

Jenni Sisson, Contributor

• Updated September 11, 2023

Paid research studies are somewhat similar to survey sites , but these studies go a lot more in-depth. The marketing company may ask you to keep a diary of your activities for a week or longer, or they may conduct multiple hour-long phone interviews. They’ll also screen your demographic info much more carefully than if you were conducting simple product tests . 

As such, the payout for research studies is much more than for surveys, with between $50 and $100 per hour being common. Read on to find out more about paid research studies, and which ones are worth your time.

Table of Contents

Key Facts About Paid Research Studies

These studies vary in form and topic and sometimes go by different names, like clinical trials, focus groups, shopalongs, user surveys, paid research opportunities and more. In each case, a company or organization hires a market research firm to answer a question. It could be anything from “Which baby food logo do moms prefer?” to “How many Hispanic citizens in Cincinnati have a favorable view of candidate John Doe?” 

The topic of the research determines what kind of study subjects the project requires, so researchers have to gather respondents of specific demographics. If you sign up for the research company’s database and you fit the profile, they will email or call you to participate in the study. In some cases, you can browse research opportunities and apply to the ones you’re most interested in.

Studies can take various forms: an emailed survey, a phone interview, a video chat, an in-person group panel, keeping a diary of certain activities and more. Your honest responses help companies make marketing and product decisions. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pursue this side hustle:

• You won’t qualify for every study, so plan to apply to a lot of them and with multiple marketing companies.
• Answer honestly. Lie on the surveys and the recruiter will likely ban you from the platform permanently.
• Check your email regularly. Paid research studies are usually time-sensitive, and often the first respondents are rewarded for their punctuality.
• Do your homework. Not every company that claims to do research is legit. Some take your info, “disqualify you” for the study, then sell that info to other companies. Check sites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Reddit and Trustpilot to sift out the time wasters and bad actors.
• Check their payment terms. Companies pay in gift cards, cash, or via apps like PayPal. The timeframe of when you’ll be paid varies widely between companies, so read the fine print.

We’ve compiled a list of some popular companies that conduct paid research studies. Some are generalists, while some cater to a specific clientele or demographic. 

#1. User Interviews

In our experience, User Interviews offers a very high payout compared to the time spent. During our test, we earned a net rate of $55 per hour . Most of the payments are in the form of Amazon gift cards rather than cash, though there are occasionally PayPal options.

#2. Respondent

Respondent focuses their recruitment on IT/tech employees, CEOs and other industry professionals. They offer hefty compensation for participants, which can rise to as much as $750 per hour (according to their website). Respondent pays in PayPal only and only allows you to apply to three studies per day.

While the payouts for Respondent studies are high, it can be difficult to qualify for them. Professionals in IT and other technology business roles tend to have an easier time. You can only apply to the B2B studies if you link your work email to your Respondent profile.

We only earned $31 per hour in our Respondent testing , but that still makes this one of the highest-paying market research opportunities we’ve discovered. 

A Reddit user who goes by the screen name sauciestcoconut claims to have made over $2,000 with DScout , noting that their key to success is that they “literally apply to almost every single mission that I might qualify for. I skip the ones that obviously don’t relate to me (about kids or certain occupations) but I submit several applications a day.”

#4. Universities

These are the original source of paid research studies, so if you live near a university, they can be a great option to make some extra cash. They can be trickier to locate, as each department will have its own recruitment methods.

There is no central repository for these studies that we could find, but here is a list of a few major institutions to get you started:

• Carnegie Mellon (offers online research opportunities)
• University of Nebraska
• University of Texas
• University of Colorado

To sign up to be part of the pool of research study participants at your local university, do an internet search for the university’s name and “paid research studies.” Many (though not all) research studies are conducted in person.

Here’s another route to find these opportunities: if you live near a medical research university, ask your doctor if they know of any clinical trials going on that you may qualify for.

#5. Fieldwork

Fieldwork offers focus groups in 13 locations around the U.S. If you don’t live near one, you can join their online database. They especially need doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals for their studies.

After you register with their site, an employee will call or email you when you come up as a match for a study’s requirements. They have a good reputation as a legitimate company, but users say it’s imperative that you answer the phone when they call . Otherwise, they’ll move on to the next qualifying person on their list.

#6. U.S. Government Clinical Trials

The federal government is always looking for people to participate in clinical trials of various medications and treatments, many of which are conducted through the National Institutes of Health.

These studies can be a particularly good option if you suffer from a chronic medical condition, as you may gain access to cutting-edge treatments before they’re widely available. And as a general rule, these trials are safe; although they may not produce the results that the researchers are hoping for, researchers don’t conduct trials that they believe have the potential to cause harm. 

You can find a list of ongoing clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov . This is just a repository for the information; each trial is conducted by a different company, university or organization, and you’ll have to contact each study you’re applying for by phone or email. No compensation information is available on the site, and pay rates vary widely depending on factors such as the required time commitment. 

#7. FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com has 16 facilities nationwide where you can participate in face-to-face focus groups and panels. These typically pay well, since there’s more work involved in attending an in-person interview than a phone or internet survey.

This company is now owned by Schlesinger Group (rebranded as SAGO), and the change has caused some operational hiccups. For example, there have been several complaints to the Better Business Bureau of participants not getting paid and receiving poor or no communication from the company. However, most of these issues have reportedly been resolved. 

#8. Rare Patient Voice

Due to the nature of this company’s clientele, it is extremely difficult for them to match people to research studies, as they focus on rare diseases and conditions. That said, if you do qualify (and they list their ongoing studies directly on their site), you are handsomely compensated.

Rare Patient Voice has a good reputation, earning an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau . Most of the complaints from participants are related to delayed payment due to an investigation on whether the participant sped through the questions too quickly to give a thorough review. 

#9. FindFocusGroups.com

This site doesn’t host paid research studies directly; it’s more like Craigslist for vetted, high-paying focus groups. (That means you’ll have to apply to each study individually.) Focus groups are sorted by city and state, but there are nationwide online groups as well.

The interface of the site is filled with ads, so make sure that when you click on a sign-up link you’re signing up for an individual study, not clicking over to a random advertiser (some of whom make their ads looks like study invitations).

The reputation of FindFocusGroups.com is hard to speak to as the site is just a board that posts the focus groups of various companies.

#10. SIS International

As you might guess from the name, SIS International is one of the few companies on this list that is open to participants around the world. Their research covers a broad range of industries — everything from burgers to butane.

Participants seem to like participating in SIS International’s research. The company has five stars on Trustpilot and many complimentary reviews from former study participants. 

#11. Probe Market Research

Probe Market Research has three focuses: consumer studies, business-to-business research and healthcare. It’s a legit company, though some participants complain of late payments and the inconvenience of getting paid in virtual Visa cards , which can only be used online and expire in 90 days. However, the company has four stars on Yelp and most reviews are positive.

#12. Focus Insite

Though they pay well, several Reddit users note that it’s pretty hard to qualify for these studies . Though the reviews aren’t all bad; for example, Redditor stormborn29 said , “Focus Insite sent me a really nice vacuum to test, and I was paid $200 — plus I got to keep the vacuum.” 

Focus Insite does, however, have a few unresolved BBB complaints regarding the lack of payment to participants . They have an active Facebook page, but the reviews on that page look unrelated to market research or surveys. In other words, this research company appears to be legit, but we still recommend proceeding with caution. 

#13. WatchLab

If you’re curious about the latest WatchLab studies, check out their Facebook page . WatchLab’s website is geared toward companies that employ them, not participants, so you’ll get more information on Facebook. Many studies are related to social media use.

This firm is notorious for taking a long time to pay , and they’ve been dinged by many users for not paying at all. They only have 2.5 stars on Yelp (based on 32 reviews), and most of the complaints are due to nonpayment. 

GLG presents a different type of opportunity than most of the other companies on this list. They do research on big purchasing decisions, recruit expert witnesses for trials and more. They keep a list of industry experts in management, law, finance and other professional fields to interview or consult on special cases or niche studies.

“Consultants” usually have years of industry experience, and often have leadership roles. A handful of other companies do this too; AlphaSights, Guidepoint, Third Bridge and Coleman are a few others. 

The screening required to become a consultant for GLG and other high-paying research firms is extensive, as they only want respondents that have specific credentials. To get selected, veterans in this consulting side gig world recommend being very detailed in your LinkedIn profile, as recruiters for these studies rely heavily on the platform to identify potential participants.

Many studies are geared toward mid to senior-level professionals, and if you’re matched with a study, you can make up to $500 per hour or more.

#15. Recruit + Field

Recruit + Field covers the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have an impressive list of clients, including Apple, Netflix, Clinique, Spotify and more. This company is somewhere between a GLG (looking for experts) and FieldWork (looking for all walks of life plus healthcare professionals), as they recruit in each of these areas.

Their reputation is fairly good; Recruit + Field has an A- rating on BBB (only 4 complaints, all of which have been answered). 

What About Apex Focus Group?

When we tested Apex Focus Group , we found that the platform offers none of its own paid research studies and uses misleading marketing tactics to get users to sign up for its email list. Once opted in, the company sends affiliate marketing messages to your inbox. Some of those messages contain legit focus group opportunities, but they’re the same focus groups you could find on your own — often by visiting the sites listed above.

Paid Research Study Sites: Summary and Final Thoughts

You won’t qualify for every study, and unfortunately, no amount of hard work will change that. (Plus these companies now have layers of checks and AI algorithms to vet cheating and lying, so don’t try that either). 

Because of this, paid research studies fall squarely in the side-hustle-only camp. For the best return, apply to a number of studies you have a good chance of qualifying for, and quickly respond when you get a call or email from the market research company (as many studies are deadline driven). 

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to make a few bucks during naptime or a senior project manager looking for a good-paying, low-maintenance side gig , paid research studies can be an easy way to make extra money.

Different companies cater to different demographics, and hence, want different research participants. So do your homework on the research company before you sign up to get a better response rate. 

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment Read our comment policy.

A Message From Our Founder

Welcome to The Ways To Wealth. I founded this site to help make a difference in people's lives by delivering objective, reliable advice and recommendations that help them make more money, save more money, and invest wisely.

• Money Management
• Debt Payoff
• About The Ways To Wealth
• Media & Advertising
• Privacy Policy

Latest Posts

Why i love the bilt rewards card, even though i don’t pay rent, robinhood gold card: game-changer or gimmick (8 insights), swagbucks review 2024: still legit our insights after 5 years, usertesting.com review: we applied to 46 tests and got approved for none, m1 review (2024): a fantastic all-in-one investing choice, popular tags.

• Reading Lists

Connect with us:

How to find and take part in paid clinical trials.

Participating in a clinical trial has many benefits, including working with condition specialists, getting access to personalized medical care, and helping science move forward — but did you know that some clinical trials offer compensation, as well?

Some research opportunities offer financial compensation, while others provide reimbursement for travel, gas, and other expenses. However, it is important to understand what clinical trials are compensating for, why some trials are paid differently than others, and how to find opportunities that are a good fit for your situation.

What are paid clinical trial opportunities?

Before enrolling in a paid clinical trial, it’s important to understand why some offer compensation while others do not. The Center for Info & Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) points out that in most cases, participants are being compensated as a reward for risk . There are benefits, such as access to potential new treatments and therapies, but it is important to remember that the treatments tested have not yet been approved.

Before you can participate in any clinical trial , whether or not it offers compensation, you will be asked to review and sign an informed consent form (ICF) which explains the potential benefits, risks, and side effects that you may experience while taking part in the study. The ICF will highlight that the investigational treatment may or may not help a condition, and may or may not lead to adverse effects.

ICFs are not a contract, and participants can always withdraw from a study at any time, for any reason — but it is a helpful tool for understanding the potential risks associated with a particular study. Before you agree to sign, asking questions is encouraged in order to do a full evaluation. Importantly for paid trial opportunities, it is good to inquire about payment milestones and how they are handled if a person were to withdraw from the study at any point.

How much do clinical trials pay?

Paid trial opportunities are not the norm, but for the ones that are compensated, rates can vary tremendously. Some trials offer payment for time and effort, while others simply reimburse travel costs or childcare. Typically, the rate of compensation will have to do with the phase of the trial . For example, Phase 1 trials offer the highest payments ( around $2,000 on average ), but this is because the treatments being studied are less well-understood. Phase IV trials, in comparison, offer the lowest average compensation ( around $400 ).

The therapeutic area can also impact payment — cardiovascular disease, neurology, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and blood disorders trials tend to pay the most. However, it’s important to remember that paid clinical trials ask for something in return. In addition to testing not-yet-approved treatments, you’ll likely be asked to provide detailed symptoms and side effects tracking, and travel to the site to take part.

How to find a paid clinical trial opportunity

Because of strict advertising guidelines and screening criteria surrounding trial eligibility, determining how to find a research opportunity that is paid can be difficult. Many trials do not include compensation in their listing, and before going through the screening process, it can be difficult to determine if you will be eligible.

To begin the process of finding potentially paid clinical trials near you that you may qualify for, we recommend using a personalized search for clinical trials so you can narrow down options as much as possible. While it is not possible to sort for paid trials through a personalized search, it will help you find studies that may be a good fit and understand the benefits of each particular trial.

Even if a clinical trial doesn’t offer compensation, getting access to a potential new treatment can be a key benefit to participating in research. Without volunteers, new medications can’t be approved by the FDA, and therefore can’t reach patients. Clinical trials play a major role in the advancement of scientific research and will hopefully benefit future generations. Simply put, research matters — so start your clinical trial search today.

Find my clinical trial match:

Get our latest blog posts in your inbox

Who Pays for Clinical Trials?

When it comes to paying for clinical trials, the sponsor of the study and health insurance plans cover many of the costs. 

Participants may be asked to pay for treatments and procedures not covered by insurance.  Before you join a study , ask about which costs might be paid by your health plan, and which costs might be covered by the study. 

Patient Care Costs in Clinical Trials

Paying for Clinical Trials

Learn about the different types of costs related to taking part in a clinical trial, and who is expected to pay for which costs.

Patient care costs are those costs that you would pay even if you weren’t in a trial. These costs are often covered by health insurance.

Types of patient care costs may include:

• doctor visits
• hospital stays
• standard cancer treatments
• treatments to improve symptoms of cancer or side effects from treatment
• x-rays and other imaging tests

If you need to travel to take part in a study, other costs might include travel, lodging, meals, parking, or child and elder care. Sometimes trials can help cover these extra costs, so ask the research team if the study offers financial help or know of support organizations that offer help.

Research Costs in Clinical Trials

Research costs are those costs that are related to taking part in the trial. Often these costs are not covered by health insurance. But they may be covered by the trial’s sponsor.

Examples of research costs include:

• the study drug
• lab tests performed purely for research purposes
• added x-rays and imaging tests performed solely for the trial
• extra doctor visits that you would not have with usual care

When you take part in a trial, you may have extra doctor visits that you would not have with usual care. During these visits, your doctor carefully watches for side effects and your safety in the study.

Health Insurance Coverage and Clinical Trials

Before you join a trial, learn as much as you can about which costs you or your health plan need to pay and those that will be covered by the study. Talk with your doctor, the research team, and your health plan. 

Ask your doctor if there is someone on staff who can help work with your health plan. This person might be a financial counselor or research coordinator. Or they might work in the hospital's patient finance department.

Ask the research coordinator or nurse if other people have had problems getting their health plans to cover routine patient care costs. If so, you might ask the research coordinator or nurse for help in sending information to your health plan that explains why this clinical trial might be a good fit for you. Items insurance companies may ask for include:

• medical journal articles that show possible patient benefits from the drug or procedure that is being tested
• a letter from your doctor that explains the trial or why it is a reasonable option for you
• support letters from patient advocacy groups

How to Work with Health Insurance Plans

Call your health insurance plan. If your doctor does not have a staff person to help work with health plans, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Here are important questions to ask:

• Does the health plan cover routine patient care costs for people taking part in clinical trials?  
• If so, is a pre-authorization required? A pre-authorization means the health plan will review information about the clinical trial before deciding to cover the patient care costs.  
• If your health plan requires a pre-authorization, what information do you need to provide? Examples might include copies of your medical records, a letter from your doctor, and a copy of the informed consent form for the trial. If a pre-authorization is not required, you don't have to do anything else. But it is a good idea to request a letter from your health plan that states that a pre-authorization is not needed for you to take part in the clinical trial.  
• Understand all the costs related to the trial. Ask your doctor or the trial's contact person about the costs that must be covered by you or your health plan.  
• Work closely with your employer's benefits manager. This person may be able to help you work with your health plan.   
• Give your health plan a deadline. Ask your doctor or the trial’s contact person for a target date when you should start treatment. This can help to ensure that coverage decisions are made promptly.

What happens if my claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, contact your insurance plan's billing office for help. The billing manager may know how to appeal your health plan’s decision.

You can also read your health insurance policy to find out what steps you can follow to make an appeal. Ask your doctor to help you. It might help if they contact the medical director of your health plan.

Taking Part in a Clinical Trial When You Don’t Have Insurance

If you don’t have insurance or have other financial worries that you think may prevent you from taking part in a clinical trial, there are places to go for help. See Managing Cancer Costs and Medical Information for advice and a list of resources.

Some screening, prevention, and quality-of-life studies take place at sites that serve people with low incomes through the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). If you receive health care at one of these sites, you may be able to take part in a clinical trial.  

People with cancer may be able to enroll in National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) reatment clinical trials through NCORP, as well. Check with the clinic where you receive care about studies that you might be eligible for.

Federal Health Insurance and Programs for Clinical Trials

Some federal health insurance programs help pay the costs of care in clinical trials.

Medicaid is a US federal health insurance program for people who cannot afford regular medical care. Medicaid covers all routine patient care costs in a clinical trial. Each state has its own rules about who is eligible for Medicaid. Visit Medicaid.gov to learn more about your state’s Medicaid program.   

Medicare is a US federal health insurance program for people aged 65 years or older and people with certain disabilities. If you have Medicare, you may be reimbursed for some of the costs related to taking part in trials of new ways to diagnose or treat cancer. For more information, read the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publication, Medicare and Clinical Research Studies or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s health care program. If you are covered under TRICARE, you can be reimbursed for the medical costs related to taking part in NCI-sponsored trials for cancer prevention and treatment. Find more information on the  TRICARE's website .

The Department of Veterans Affairs  allows eligible veterans to take part in NCI-sponsored clinical trials at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. All phases and types of NCI-sponsored trials are included. For more information, see Volunteering for a Clinical Trial  on the their website or talk with your doctor.

Find Paid Clinical Trials

Find Paid Clinical Trials Near You

How to find clinical trials.

Utilize Find Paid Clinical Trials to search for studies in your area. We gather clinical trials from various reliable sources, such as clinicaltrials.gov, and categorize them by condition and location. We are committed to presenting you with the latest clinical trials actively seeking volunteers, emphasizing trials that offer compensation to participants.

Types of Clinical Trials

COVID-19 Clinical Trials

Healthy Volunteer Clinical Trials

Psoriasis Clinical Trials

Type-2 Diabetes Clinical Trials

Eczema Clinical Trials

Highest Paid Clinical Trials

Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials

Paid Vaccine Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials by Location

Drug Addiction Clinical Trials

Obesity Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials for Smokers

Weight Loss Clinical Trials

Why Participate in Clinical Trials That Provide Compensation?

Participating in a clinical trial, whether it focuses on a vaccine, new treatment, or medical device, is a significant commitment. These trials often span several years and demand participants to engage in regular in-person and remote check-ins to collect necessary information and data effectively. To alleviate the potential challenges of these long-term commitments, many trials offer compensation to participants for their time and travel. Additionally, participants often receive free medical care, making their involvement in the trials more worthwhile.

Since 2018, we've been helping volunteers around the globe find paid studies in their area. Browse our database of more than 100,000 clinical trials and get randomized today.

Paid Clinical Trials By State

Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana

Iowa Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana

Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina

South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Privacy Policy Terms of Use

All Studies

Compensation

Schizophrenia Study Enrolling

M / F 

18-65 

Up to $5075

CenExel RCA

Healthy Volunteers Study Ongoing

18-55 

COVID Booster Study Enrolling

Up to $1250

Alzheimer's Study Enrolling

Up to $3625

Vaccine and Flu Study Enrolling

Respiratory Vaccine Study Enrolling

18-75 

Up to $1840

Parkinson’s Disease Enrolling

45-80 

Up to $8150

Hepatic Impairment Study Enrolling

Flu/COVID-19 Vaccine Study Enrolling

Depression Study Enrolling

Up to $1000

Schizophrenia - Pediatric Enrolling

13-17 

Up to $1100

CenExel CBH

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Enrolling

Up to $1124

Schizophrenia Enrolling

Up to $16675

Depression Enrolling

Up to $2850

Eczema Upcoming

CenExel ACT

Japanese Healthy Volunteers Upcoming

18 - 65 

Japanese Healthy Volunteers Enrolling

18 - 55 

Up to $10900

Liver Impairment Enrolling

18 - 75 

Up to $3950

Celiac Disease Upcoming

18 -70 

Up to $3250

Hernia Repair Enrolling

Up to $1500

Bunion Removal Enrolling

Diabetes Type 2 Enrolling

18 - 70 

Up to $5000

Healthy Volunteers Enrolling

Up to $16000

Chinese Healthy Volunteers Upcoming

Vaccine - Healthy Volunteers Enrolling

Up to $4220

ADHD Study Adult Upcoming

CenExel ACMR

ADHD Study Child and Teen Enrolling

Alzheimer's Disease Study Enrolling

55-85 

Bipolar I Study Ongoing

Up to $4250

Bipolar I Study Child and Teen Ongoing

10-17 

Up to $1800

Childhood Obesity Study Ongoing

Chronic Nerve Pain Study Upcoming

Depression Study Ongoing

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Study Upcoming

Parkinson's Disease Study Ongoing

40-85 

Up to $16244

Postpartum Depression Study Upcoming

18-45 

Up to $1750

Schizophrenia Study Ongoing

18-60 

Up to $7850

Schizophrenia Study Adolescent Ongoing

PTSD Upcoming

Adolescent Migraine study Enrolling

Adolescent Autism study Enrolling

Panic Disorder Enrolling

Type 2 Diabetes Enrolling

20-75 

Up to $5625

Hernia Study Enrolling

Bunion Removal Study Enrolling

Vaccine Study Upcoming

Sciatica Study Upcoming

Up to $2000

Estudio de corrección de juanete Inscribiendo

18-80 

CenExel JBR

Pediatric Migraine Study Enrolling

12 -17 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Study Upcoming

16-50 

BPH/Enlarged Prostate Study Upcoming

Dental ExtractionStudy Enrolling

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Study Enrolling

18-70 

Flu Vaccine Study Enrolling

Up to $2287

COVID Booster Vaccine Study Enrolling

Up to $1080

Osteoarthritis of the Knee Study Enrolling

Norovirus Vaccine Study Enrolling

18-49, 60-80 

Atopic Dermatitis Study Enrolling

Up to $2025

Up to $1000.00

CenExel CIT

Adolescent Tourette's Study Enrolling

Up to $1600

Schizophrenia Study - Inland Empire Enrolling

Up to $4000.00

Schizophrenia Study - Los Angeles County Enrolling

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Study Enrolling

Psoriatic Arthritis Enrolling

CenExel FCR

Gout Enrolling

Acne Enrolling

Psoriasis Enrolling

Eczema Enrolling

Migraine Enrolling

Vitiligo Enrolling

Alopecia Areata Enrolling

Migraine - Pediatric Enrolling

Eczema - Pediatric Enrolling

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Enrolling

Gynecomastia Enrolling

Hernia Enrolling

Bunion Enrolling

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Enrolling

Hernia Campaign Enrolling

Bunion Campaign Enrolling

Mild Cognitive Impairment Enrolling

CenExel AMRI

Behaviors Associated with Dementia / Alzheimer’s Disease Enrolling

Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease Enrolling

Dementia Enrolling

Middle-Stage Alzheimer's Disease (Moderate) Enrolling

Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease (Severe) Enrolling

Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease (Mild) Enrolling

Healthy Upcoming

Multiple System Atrophy Enrolling

30-80 

CenExel RMCR

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Upcoming

50-80 

Huntington's Disease Enrolling

25-75 

Dementia with Lewy Bodies Enrolling

50-85 

Alzheimer's Disease Enrolling

50-90 

30-85 

Memory Loss Study Ongoing

Up to $5500

CenExel CNR

Major Depression Trials Ongoing

18-74 

Migraine Trials Ongoing

18 and up 

Up to $1725

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Trials Ongoing

At Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Study Ongoing

60-80 

Free Memory Evaluation Upcoming

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Study Upcoming

Generalized Anxiety Study (GAD) Enrolling

Borderline Personality Disorder Ongoing

CenExel iResearch Atlanta

Bipolar Disorder Ongoing

OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Ongoing

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Ongoing

Diabetes Ongoing

Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) Ongoing

Postpartum Depression Ongoing

Gastroparesis Ongoing

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Ongoing

Migraines (Chronic and Episodic) Ongoing

Depression Ongoing

Memory Loss Disorders Ongoing

Borderline Personality Disorder Upcoming

CenExel iResearch Savannah

Psychotic Disorders Ongoing

Autism Enrolling

CenExel HRI

Bipolar Disorder Enrolling

55-90 

Schizoaffective Disorder Upcoming

Opioid Addiction Upcoming

Obesity Upcoming

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Pediatric Upcoming

Peanut Allergy Enrolling

18-85 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Enrolling

High Triglycerides (Hypertriglyceridemia) Enrolling

18-79 

Compass Pathfinder Study (Depression) Enrolling

Up to $1225

Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia) Enrolling

Menstrual Migraine Upcoming

Hypertension Upcoming

Common Warts Enrolling

Bipolar Disorder JS Enrolling

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Enrolling

CenExel CNS

Chinese Bridging Ongoing

Up to $7500

Vaccine Ongoing

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Ongoing

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Ongoing

Schizophrenia Ongoing

Up to $10000

Multiple Sclerosis Ongoing

18-50 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Ongoing

Sleep Apnea Ongoing

Obesity Ongoing

Up to $8000

Hypertension Ongoing

Up to $3500

Migraine Ongoing

Up to $1150

Up to $3450

Parkinson’s Disease Ongoing

Japanese Bridging Ongoing

Up to $2300

Alzheimer's Disease Ongoing

Up to $6875

Healthy Volunteers Ongoing

Type 2 Diabetes Study Enrolling

Up to $2940

​ Update on COVID-19

To: our sponsors, cros, patients, and employees.

At CenExel Clinical Research, our top priorities are the safety and health of our patients and employees. For our Centers of Excellence to provide the highest quality of clinical research, we established and maintain a COVID-19 Task Force with representatives from every Center. The Task Force is charged with continuous monitoring of the pandemic and providing guidance and communication.

Our clinical operations continue, and we have implemented the following additional safety measures:

• Enhanced screening of everyone entering any of our facilities before they are admitted into our offices or clinical areas
• Reinforced internal communication regarding the COVID-19 situation, CDC and SHRM recommendations, digital team meetings, and the importance of using sick leave for anyone who has signs, symptoms, or recent exposure to someone with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19
• Additional cleaning and disinfecting materials provided through our clinic and office areas
• Cross-training and preparations for contingency plans if key staff need to stay home

We will continue to monitor the current situation, coordinate with the proper authorities, and update our policies and procedures as needed to ensure the safety of our patients and employees.

Test drugs, get paid: Clinical trials can be surprisingly lucrative gigs

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

The quest to find drugs that can treat everything from COVID to high cholesterol is fueling a plethora of lucrative opportunities for people willing to try clinical side hustles.

Clinical side hustles involve volunteering to test new drugs, skin-care products and treatments. The testing facilities need healthy volunteers to see if the treatments are effective and safe. Late-stage trials also examine dosage amounts and side effects.

So even though drugs are believed to be safe by the time they’re tested on humans, there are some risks. As a result, volunteers are often monitored 24/7 in a hospital-like setting.

Why would you volunteer to be a human guinea pig? Some people do it because they’re suffering with a condition such as migraines or psoriasis and are hoping to cure themselves; others like the notion of helping to cure others. And some people just do it for the money.

The pay is often surprisingly generous.

Clinical side hustles

WCCT Global , for instance, is seeking healthy adults willing to test a cholesterol drug at the company’s Cypress facility. The pay is $8,500. But you must stay for 17 nights. The bright side? You’ll get three square meals and snacks each day. The facility also provides movies and Wi-Fi. You have few responsibilities, other than being available for tests. You can do other work, study, watch movies, surf the web or read.

LabCorp — whose drug development arm was previously known as Covance Clinical Trials — is offering $9,540 to test a migraine drug in Wisconsin. It requires a three-night stay and 10 follow-up visits.

Finding clinical studies

If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial, you can do a simple Google search to find local testing facilities. Many, like LabCorp and WCCT , put a list of available studies on their websites. Other testing operations, such as Princeton Consumer Research, will require you to sign up to see the studies available. You can also sign up with ResearchMatch , a nonprofit aimed at matching volunteers with appropriate clinical trials.

Most tests are done in person. So the availability of trials will depend on where you live. Big cities with lots of medical research facilities tend to have trials going on year-round. Clinical trials are harder to find in rural areas with fewer universities and medical centers.

That said, some overnight trials pay enough to warrant travel. And naturally, you don’t have to worry about where you’ll stay.

How it works

Each paid trial is a little different. Some need completely healthy individuals. Others enlist subjects with nonlethal medical conditions, such as psoriasis or migraines. (Clinical trials also enlist seriously ill individuals to test the efficacy of treatments for cancer or other serious ailments. However, patients are added to these trials only by a doctor’s referral. And in these cases, the compensation is free treatment, not cash.)

Some participants in paid trials must undergo extensive physical examinations, X-rays and blood tests. Other clinical trials are less intrusive. Then too, some demand lengthy overnight stays, while others involve only outpatient visits and telephone check-ins. A study could be completed in a few days — or stretch out for years, requiring intermittent check-ins.

What to do with that end-of-year pile of receipts? Make (a little) money off of it

Market research firms pay for insight into how we spend. Use these tips to earn a little bit back off your holiday shopping bills.

Dec. 25, 2021

What’s true in all cases is that you’ll know well in advance what type of trial it is, what’s required, the risks and how much and when you’ll be paid. Indeed, you’ll be given a lengthy description of the trial and the potential side effects to consider before you’re accepted.

Highly paid but risky

Total pay also varies dramatically. Short studies that are mildly intrusive typically pay $25 to $100 an hour. Overnight studies pay considerably more — often thousands of dollars.

But higher pay usually signals higher risk. By and large, subjects are being monitored overnight to make sure they don’t have adverse reactions to the treatment.

Why volunteer?

People volunteer for many reasons.

Anna Barker, a blogger at LogicalDollar, was in it solely for the money. In college at the time, she volunteered for a 2011 study on the effectiveness of flu shots.

The first visit took just under two hours. After that, all she needed to do was check in by phone every few weeks to report whether or not she had flu symptoms. Pay: $1,200.

“It seemed like a fortune for very little work,” she said.

Free medical tests

San Francisco-area CPA Riley Adams joined a Tulane University study on bone density for a different reason. He was about to get married and was on the Keto diet. Worried that the diet’s high-fat menu would mess with his health, he was in the market for a body composition test.

These tests can cost as much as $350 and they’re not covered by insurance. So when he found Tulane’s study, which provided free body composition tests as part of the package, he jumped at the chance. The study, which took less than four hours for three in-person visits, also paid $400.

“There was nothing painful, invasive or experimental about this,” he said. Meanwhile, by doing the study he discovered that he was susceptible to a hereditary condition that can make bones more brittle. The doctors in the study treated his early osteopenia with calcium and it improved, he said.

“It wasn’t something I expected,” Adams said. “But I am grateful that I did it.”

Gerri Detweiler, a Florida writer who has migraine headaches, tested a new migraine medication because she was looking for a cure.

She earned a bit more than $1,000. In exchange, she participated in several in-person examinations and responded to a nightly prompt about whether she had a headache. The medication didn’t help her, but it did help others. The drug was approved, and she said she was proud to have been part of something that aids other migraine sufferers.

But what impressed her most was the marvelous medical care she received from the researchers, who spent hours discussing her health.

“You really have to think about whether you feel safe doing the research,” she said. “But the medical care that I got during the study was fantastic.”

Kristof is the editor of SideHusl.com , an independent site that reviews hundreds of money-making opportunities in the gig economy.

More to Read

Why L.A.’s battle against a deadly disease relies on unpaid volunteers

Feb. 4, 2024

Alzheimer’s drug trials target older Californians. Do they understand what they’re signing up for?

July 10, 2023

This retiree earns $170 an hour through a medical writing side gig. How he does it

Dec. 29, 2022

More From the Los Angeles Times

Google employees stage sit-ins to protest company’s contract with Israel

April 16, 2024

Most of Wall Street slips as expectations rise for rates to stay high

Company Town

News publishers’ alliance calls on feds to investigate Google for limiting California links

Climate & Environment

The EV market is in trouble: The latest sign is Tesla’s layoffs

Study record managers: refer to the Data Element Definitions if submitting registration or results information.

Search for terms

Advanced Search

See studies by topic, see studies on map, how to search, how to use search results, how to find results of studies, how to read a study record.

• Learn About Studies
• Other Sites About Studies
• Glossary of Common Site Terms

• Submit Studies to ClinicalTrials.gov PRS
• Why Should I Register and Submit Results?
• FDAAA 801 and the Final Rule
• How to Apply for a PRS Account
• How to Register Your Study
• How to Edit Your Study Record
• How to Submit Your Results
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Support Materials
• Training Materials

• Selected Publications
• Clinical Alerts and Advisories
• Trends, Charts, and Maps
• Downloading Content for Analysis

• ClinicalTrials.gov Background
• About the Results Database
• History, Policies, and Laws
• ClinicalTrials.gov Modernization
• Media/Press Resources
• Linking to This Site
• Terms and Conditions

Find Studies

The Find Studies section of this site describes the options for finding studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, how to use those options to find the studies you are looking for, and how to read study records.

Options for Finding Studies

Conduct a focused search of studies by matching one or more words entered in specific fields. See also How to Use Advanced Search .

Find studies in categories such as condition, drug intervention, sponsor, or location. See also How to Find Studies by Topic or on a Map .

Find studies by clicking on a country or region on a map. See also How to Find Studies by Topic or on a Map .

How to Search and Use the Results

Learn how to use the site's search features to find studies:

• How to Use Search
• How to Use Advanced Search
• How to Modify a Search
• How to Find Studies by Topic or on a Map

Learn about the different features of the search results list, including how to customize your display.

Learn how to find studies that have been updated with study results, including studies with results that have been published in medical journals.

Learn about the information available in a study record and the different ways to view a record.

• For Patients and Families
• For Researchers
• For Study Record Managers
• Customer Support
• Accessibility
• Viewers and Players
• Freedom of Information Act
• HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• U.S. National Institutes of Health
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Diversity in Clinical Research
• Clinical Research for Older Populations
• Clinical Research for Compensation
• Clinical Trial Information for Parents
• What Is A Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts Paid Clinical Trials

Match to clinical trials, popular cities, search clinical trials in massachusetts by condition.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Policylab.us does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program

Can I Get Paid for Participating in a Clinical Trial? | All About Paid Research Studies

“Can I get paid for participating in a research study?”  This is the most common question people ask Velocity online when considering signing up for a clinical trial.

The answer is yes, you can get paid for study-related time and travel for participating in most clinical trials. While not all research studies pay participants, most clinical studies, or medical studies, at Velocity pay from $75 to $4,500. To get a better idea of what a specific trial might pay, keep reading.

How Pay is Determined in Clinical Research Trials

Almost every study offers compensation or reimbursement for study-related time and/or travel. The amount a clinical trial pays varies for every study and is determined by many factors, including, but not limited to:

• The number of in-person visits required
• The number of phone visits required
• Diary entry, or symptom tracking requirements
• Time for study-related exams
• The condition being studied
• The patient/caregiver burden
• The length of the study
• The  phase of the study  (earlier phase studies typically involve more risk)

Regardless of how easy it can be, participation in a clinical trial can still require time and travel, and may involve risk. This is why compensation is provided for most studies at Velocity. Research studies often require several visits, each of which can involve payment for completion. Additionally, some studies require weekly or daily check-ins through an app (patient diary) or phone call which also involve payment.

Examples of Low-Paying Research Studies

An example of a low-paying research study would be an interview-only study in which participants are asked questions, and are not given any investigational treatment. Some studies are conducted to assess how well packaging or instructions can be understood and followed.

Another example of a low-paying research study may be a specimen collection study, in which participants may only be required to give a blood, saliva, or nasal swab sample. These studies may only take a few hours, or less.

Examples of High-Paying Research Studies

Higher-paying clinical trials may involve investigational vaccines, medications, medical devices, or tests. A Phase I study for an investigational vaccine will usually pay more than a Phase III study for the same investigational vaccine. This is because Phase I studies are the first to involve human subjects, the potential side effects, risks, and benefits may not be clear.

Phase I studies may also require more of the participant’s time for visits, diary entries, or in-office exams. Inpatient studies — which require one, or more, overnight stays in a clinic — frequently pay more than outpatient studies, which only require one, or more visits. Most Velocity studies are outpatient studies.

To better understand the compensation for Phase 2-4 trials, it may help to understand the investigational product the trial is studying. For example, a trial for a potential multiple sclerosis medication may require longer visits, more intensive symptom tracking, and one-on-one visits with neurologists. Alternatively, a vaccine study, such as a COVID-19 vaccine or RSV vaccine study Velocity is conducting, may require a few visits that only require a medical exam, administration of the investigational vaccine or placebo, and blood draws.

The vaccine studies Velocity conducts typically offer $500-$2,500 in compensation for completing all visits and follow-up requirements.

How to Learn About Compensation

Velocity is fully transparent about study requirements and potential compensation — you can ask about compensation during your first phone call with Velocity or at your in-office screening. Compensation will also be covered as part of the informed consent process .

Velocity tends not to include compensation amounts in our study advertisements for the following reasons:

• Every clinical trial has inclusion and exclusion criteria that dictate who may actually qualify for the study. Not everyone can join every trial. Once we determine your eligibility for certain research studies, we can then provide details about potential compensation. Then, through the informed consent process, you’ll learn about study timelines, visits requirements, compensation, potential risks and benefits, and more.
• Depending on several circumstances, a participant may not earn the maximum amount for their time in the study if they do not qualify, or if they do not complete all aspects of a study.
• Clinical trial participants may withdraw consent to their involvement with the study at any time. In this case, the participant may not receive the maximum amount.
• We do not want to give people the impression that a lump sum is paid up front, nor do we want to coerce people to volunteer just to earn money. Participants are paid over the course of studies as visits, check-ins, etc. are completed, and valuable data about the investigational product is collected.

If you’re interested in joining a study and would like to know what it pays, ask! Velocity is transparent about study requirements and potential compensation — you can ask about study compensation during your first phone call with Velocity or at your in-office screening.

Find a Research Study Near You

Velocity has sites nationwide that are conducting paid research studies in a wide range of therapeutic areas. If you’re interested in learning more about, or participating in, a clinical trial near you, visit our find a study page to speak with a recruitment specialist to discuss our current trial opportunities.

More Reading on Clinical Trials

Visit our Learning Center to read all about clinical trials, or click the links below to explore related topics:

• About Clinical Trials
• What is Informed Consent?
• What is a Clinical Trial?

Recent articles

• All About Liver Disease March 8, 2024
• The Latest in Gastrointestinal Disease Research: New Potential Treatments For IBS, Constipation, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and More  March 4, 2024
• The Latest in Asthma Research: New Potential Treatments for Asthma February 6, 2024
• The Remarkable History and Impact of HeLa Cells in Research  October 2, 2023
• The Latest in Alzheimer’s Research: Advances in Understanding and Potential Treatments September 20, 2023

It all starts with people like you.

Without clinical trial participants, it would not be possible to create new medicines, treatments, and cures..

ivetriedthat

35 Paid Online Research Studies Seeking Participants

How can one participate in paid online research studies and get paid for your brain, your health, and your opinions?

• Inbox Dollars - Get paid to check your email. $5 bonus just for signing up!
• Survey Junkie - The #1 survey site that doesn't suck. Short surveys, high payouts, simply the best.
• Nielsen - Download their app and get paid $50!

Well, you’re in the right place.

Today, let’s look at 35 different opportunities to get paid as a participant in research studies.

Types of Paid Online Research Studies

A medical study involves a group of people within an age group, gender, race, ethnic group, or individuals with the same specific health issues.

Participating in these studies often involves answering a combination of interviews, tests, surveys, or experimentation to be able to answer questions on how to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure health disorders and diseases.

Aside from paid medical studies, market research makes use of paid online research to find out what customers want or need from various products and companies.

The cool thing about paid online research studies available today is that even if you are not a part of the target audience, you can still participate in the study in another capacity.

Online research studies can be either quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative studies are the ones with static, pre-planned answers. A questionnaire with multiple-choice answers is a good example of this study. It is made as such so that the researcher can easily analyze the results.

Qualitative studies are a bit more complex since they involve open-ended answers.

However, this type of study ends up with better data. Focus groups and interviews are both methods used in qualitative studies.

How Much Can You Earn from Paid Research Studies?

Imagine earning up to $1,000 just for sharing your opinion, review of a product, or thoughts about a particular experience without even stepping out of the house.

You don’t even have to spend a cent to participate in these research studies.

Most of the time, you’d only have to be at least 18 years old and currently live in the US.

Even when you’re below 18 years old, researchers sometimes allow you to participate as long as you had a waiver from your parent or legal guardian.

The amount you earn from joining research studies depend on the following:

• Method of research — Did you join a focus group? Answered a lengthy interview? Filled out a survey form?
• Length of study — Some interviews only take an hour and earn you $150. Some focus groups could take several sessions and end only after several weeks.
• Type of payment — Not all companies pay cash. Some use PayPal, while others prefer checks, gift cards, prepaid cards, and so on.

Quick surveys can be as little as $10 and high as $100.

Focus group sessions range between $50 and $500 per session.

Interviews can earn you somewhere from $50 to $400 for an hour of your time.

Simply put, the amount you’ll be paid will vary from study to study.

Join These to Start Making Money Today!

Before digging into the list below, I suggest you sign up for the 3 best focus group/market research companies.

Anyone can participate and you will be invited to take part in research studies, focus groups, and product testing opportunities.

These companies pay in cash and offer cash signup bonuses to get you started.

• SurveyJunkie - Get paid CASH to share your thoughts on some of the world's biggest brands.
• Branded Surveys - Work directly with companies like Nike, Samsung, Amazon, and Disney to improve their product lines.

On to the list!

35 Ways to Get Paid for Research Studies Online

The following universities have year-long research studies in a wide range of topics.

1. Northwestern University Department of Psychology

Earn from $10 to $40 an hour if you participate in one of the school’s online studies.

The studies change regularly and vary widely from topics such as phone usage, changes in thoughts and feelings, Artificial Intelligence,  sleeping patterns, psychosis, aging, and even products like hearing aids.

2. Harvard University Psychology Study Pool

Join Harvard’s Psychology Study Pool and earn from $10 to $25 an hour, paid via gift cards.

The online studies are available year-round for both Harvard students and guests.

3. Carnegie Mellon University

If you’re at least 18 years old, can read and speak English, and have never joined any research studies at the Center for Behavioral and Decision Research at Carnegie Mellon, you can sign up for their paid online research studies.

Topics range from personal beliefs, attitudes, decision-making, human judgment, interpersonal perceptions, and group performance, among others.

You’ll earn $8 an hour, paid in gift cards. Each study takes anywhere from 5 and 20 minutes.

Paid participants are needed for in-person studies in labs on campus, but may sometimes be able to participate online on a home computer.

Note that only students are accepted (ID will be requested).

4. Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School

For participating in an online survey or study, you can earn $16 an hour, as long as you’re 18+ years old and have a PayPal or Amazon.com account to receive payments.

No need to be a student at Columbia Business School, but you need to register in the CDS Virtual Lab Online Panel.

5. MIT Behavioral Research Lab

There are in-person and paid online research studies available at MIT.

Payment amounts vary from study to study, but participants usually earn $11 to $20 per hour for online studies.

Anyone aged 18 or older, residing in the United States, and proficient in spoken and written English can join the BRL participant pool.

Membership is open to all; you don’t need any association with MIT to participate. Other requirements may be needed for studies requiring specific respondents.

6. University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business

As long as you’re a current Smith student (and eligible for certain studies), you can get paid for research studies online here.

Make sure you create an account, sign up for the studies that you want to participate in, and get paid once you fulfill your role.

7. Purdue University

You can find a lot of paid online studies here.

Currently, they have studies on Parkinson’s disease (and other neurodegenerative diseases), flavored water, biosensors, mushroom nutrition, linguistics, cancer, and so on.

Participants are paid somewhere between $10 and $500.

What’s great about Purdue University is that the studies are varied and open to the public.

8. Stanford Graduate School of Business

You’ll be paid up to $25 an hour for online research studies, but you’d have to be eligible and complete a prescreen form.

You also can’t participate in the same study more than once.

9. UCLA Anderson School of Management

The behavioral lab has some paid online studies, if you’re interested in topics like consumer behavior, organizational behavior, judgment, and other similar topics.

Most studies here pay from $10 to $20 an hour.

They also have in-lab and in-person studies.

10. Boston University Behavioral Lab

If you’re interested in human behavior and is willing to participate in online studies, try to join if you’re eligible.

These studies pay between $10 and $20 an hour.

The studies from Boston University’s Behavioral Lab is open to both BU students and the general public.

11. University of Maryland Department of Psychology

You need to create an account at the SONA System website to see available research studies.

Each of the studies have different eligibilities and payment.

12. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

This college holds a wide range of research studies revolving MRI research, human brain, behavior, and so on.

There are studies exclusively for seniors, and those that are for teens.

There are two ways to volunteer for these studies:

• Join the CB3 Research Participant Volunteer Registry (and wait for them to e-mail you)
• Pick the study and contact researchers directly.

Pay can go as high as $80 per study.

13. American University Psychology Department

Topics vary widely, but they are related to psychology and human behavior.

You can earn up to $20 an hour for just filling out a form as a smoker’s first-hand experience during stressful situations.

14. Respondent.IO

This next one isn’t a university, but it’s a comprehensive resource if you plan to participate in numerous market research and other online studies.

Pay ranges from $25 to $200.

Eligibility requirements vary between studies.

Make sure to check details and never pay to join a focus group or study.

15. Brand Institute

Want to be at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry?

Join consumer market research panel groups by signing up with Brand Institute.

16. mindswarms

It’s sort of like an interview since you are required to answer ten questions with a video.

In exchange for your thoughts, you’ll be paid $50.

Earn somewhere between $50 and $250 by participating in healthcare or consumer market research studies.

18. Probe Market Research

The company pays people for online, phone or group interviews about their clients’ products, services, ads, or other campaigns.

Payment goes as high as $400.

19. Penn State University

(Quick shoutout to my Alma Mater… We Are!)

… and they are seeking just about anyone who’s alive to participate in a research study. With over 200 current open studies, odds are, you’ll qualify for something they have available.

Keep an eye out for “Total Compensation” to see just what the study pays.

20. User Interviews

Get paid for your feedback on real projects.

Create an account by filling up a form and wait for project invitations if you’re eligible.

There are online and in-phone interviews available.

21. Yale School of Management

If you live anywhere near Yale campus, be sure to sign up for their newsletter as they frequently put out requests for both in person and paid online research studies.

You will be paid, in cash, at the completion of your study.

They also have a Facebook group that announces when new studies are available to participate in.

22. Georgetown University Department of Psychology

Georgetown’s Department of Psychology is regularly looking for both students and non-students alike to participate in studies.

Average pay will run you about $10 per hour, so it can be some nice change to pick up in your spare time.

Their research includes personality, memory, and impulse control tests to name a few.

23. UCLA Semel Institute

UCLA offers both in-person and online research studies to check out.

They have a massive list of open opportunities for you to click through. The highest paying ones often need you to come into their offices for scans and interviews, but there are a lot of remote positions available too.

24. PingPong

Web designers and developers working on websites and applications value the input of real-life users and are willing to pay for these users’ opinions and insights

You can get paid anywhere from €15 to €40 per hour and even up to €100 for special projects.

Payment is credited through Transferwise or PayPal.

25. American Consumer Opinion

Yet another survey site, American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) pays you for your answers to their survey questions.

You can even get paid up to $100 if you fit a certain demographic and able to participate in special projects.

Research studies on this site may not be constantly available, though. It’s best to check back frequently.

26. Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field is a market research company that hosts paid online research studies all around the US and even in international locations.

They look for participants from any gender and age for their studies, including professionals and medical professionals (doctor, nurse, lab technician).

They normally pay via PayPal but also offer Amazon or digital gift cards.

The pay ranges from $100 to $275 for phone interviews, online surveys, and sometimes in-home product testing.

27. Focus Group

Focus Group is an aptly named online community comprised of participants interested in sharing opinions and views on popular products and brands through in-person, telephone, or online surveys.

The pay ranges from $75 to $200, and specialized health studies may pay more.

28. 20|20 Panel

Since 1986, 20|20 Panel has been recruiting participants to share their opinion on various companies.

They specialize in qualitative market research, which is achieved via in-person or online roundtable discussions. You can get paid from $50 to $350 to participate in these discussions.

They also send out quick surveys for which you can get paid smaller amounts (from $1 to $10).

29. FindFocusGroups

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a directory of all the paid research opportunities in the country?

FindFocusGroups is probably the closest one, as it lists more than 75,000 verified and legitimate focus groups in the country.

It’s quite simple to search by city and state, and check the information for details on whether the discussions are online or in-person.

It’s difficult to know how much the average payment would be, but upon browsing the first few studies on the homepage, they range from $50 to $300.

30. SIS International

SIS International conducts focus group discussions in cities all over the US and globally and collects consumer feedback on anything from appliances, skincare products, gadgets, and just about anything.

Rates range from $25 to $200 for 2 to 3 hours of your time.

31.  Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group connects regular people like you and me with researchers, who will pay for participants to join clinical research trials, phone interviews and focus groups.

As a participant at any Apex Focus Group study, you can be paid up to $750 a week.

Online and in-person studies are available.

32.  Fieldwork

If you live near New Jersey, New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, or Minneapolis, you can participate in current Fieldwork research studies.

Most of the paid focus groups are face-to-face (but online are sometimes available).

Each study lasts about 1 or 2 hours. Participants earn between $75 and $100 for their time.

33. Rare Patient Voice

This company mostly looks for participants who have rare diseases and medical conditions. As such, only eligible people can benefit from the studies.

However, anyone who qualifies will receive $120/hour.

You can share your views via online surveys, clinical trials, or web-assisted phone interviews.

34. ClinicalTrials.gov

The federal government continually seeks individuals willing to participate in clinical trials testing different medications and treatments.

Studies are often conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

You can check out a list of ongoing clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

Unlike other paid online research studies on this list, DScout is an app you can download.

You need to register to become a “scout” and participate in research “missions,” which will earn you money after completion.

DScout studies are usually 1-on-1 interviews or video responses, so you’d have to be comfortable in front of the camera.

Missions pay from $50 to $100, each lasting about 30 minutes.

Can I turn these Paid Online Research Studies into a Full-Time Job?

While paid online studies are highly interesting and offer legitimate side cash, this gig cannot replicate the steady income and benefits you can get with a full-time job.

You’d have to consider that many research studies:

• have eligibility requirements (which means you’re not guaranteed a slot every time)
• cannot be joined twice (once you’ve participated in a specific study, you can’t do a repeat)
• have varying payments (there’s no stability in such income)

I do think it’s a legitimate side gig if you’re in between jobs or have a lot of free time on your hands.

You can also get paid answering surveys , joining focus groups , or testing products .

READ THIS NEXT: The EASIEST ways to make money online. See how.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

More Ways to Make Money

The HOTTEST New Way to Make Money in 2021

This is one of the best ways to make real money online. Don't pass this one up.

Continue Reading

100 Different Side Hustles to Fill Your Pockets with Cash

Everyone loves easy ways to make money online. You already have the skills. Turn those hidden talents into extra money from side gigs in 2021.

Outdoor Jobs: 40+ Careers in the Great Outdoors

How cool would it be to land your dream outdoor job? With this list of 40+ outdoor jobs, you can say goodbye to your desk job.

10 Cryptocurrency Scams That Could Rob You

Like any kind of investment, trading bitcoins, altcoins and other cryptocurrencies can be risky. In fact, cryptocurrency scams are very popular and has become an issue for many. To be on the safer side, learn about the top 10 most common cryptocurrency scams going around these days.

Should You Join L’Bri as an Independent Consultant?

Does L’Bri offer the ideal business opportunity it advertises itself to be?

• Whitepapers
• Ethics in Clinical Research
• Participant Recruitment

Compensating Participants in Clinical Research: Current Thinking

In clinical research studies, it is not uncommon for monetary compensation to be provided to research participants; as reimbursement for study-related expenses, as compensation for time and effort, and even as incentive payments to encourage enrollment. Sponsors, researchers and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are often wary about payments in research participation, citing concerns about coercion and undue influence, whether real or perceived, and have avoided payments that are “too high.”

But new research on how people make decisions about research participation, and new approaches to this question, bring a new perspective; are payments to participants actually too low? This paper explores this question, and whether we should, in fact, worry much less about restricting compensation for research participants.

Undue Influence and Coercion

“…the IRB must conclude that participation in any protocol it approves is reasonable (i.e., not unreasonable) for individuals in the target study population. This is not to say that no risk remains or that participation in research would be in the best interest of potential participants. Neither is required in order to avoid undue influence.” 1

At the foundation of the concerns about research participant payment are the issues of undue influence and coercion. These words are not clearly defined in research regulations or guidance, and are often used interchangeably when talking about participant payment, but they actually have very different meanings.

To coerce means to achieve something by using force or threat. Situations of true coercion are rare in clinical study recruitment situations. An example of coercion might be a physician who is seeing a patient at a free clinic who says, “If you don’t agree to be in my research study, you can’t come here for care anymore.” Payment offers, though, are not force, nor are they threats. Therefore, offers of payment for participation in research can never be coercive.

Influence is a different concept. Influence, in itself, is not a bad thing. Everyone makes decisions about what they do based on factors that influence them, and sometimes those factors are financial. While many of us really enjoy our jobs, if our employer told us that we wouldn’t get paid anymore, we’d probably stop showing up for work. The issue, then, is not influence, but undue influence. In legal terms, undue influence means that someone makes someone else behave in a way that is contrary to their interests. In research, we often describe undue influence in study recruitment as someone agreeing to take risks that were not reasonable, because they were influenced by other considerations (in this situation, by the offer of money).

But as discussed in the excellent recent paper, Paying Research Participants: The Outsized Influence of “Undue Influence” by Emily Largent and Holly Fernandez Lynch 1 , the possibility of unreasonable risks requires more consideration as well. In order for an IRB to approve a research study, the Board must ensure that the risks of the research are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits, for the target study population. If this is the case, for a research protocol that has been IRB-approved and a potential participant who is in the target study population, how can the offer of payment influence them to take risks that are unreasonable, when the risks have already been determined to be reasonable? With this argument, Largent and Lynch explain that the potential problem of undue influence in IRB-approved research is significantly overestimated, although possible in some very specific situations (for example, when potential participants are likely to deceive the researchers about their eligibility or when they have some unique characteristics outside the IRB’s purview). In an effort to reduce the occurrence of these situations—although they are already rare—we as a research community have erred on the side of caution in preventing payment or encouraging payment to be kept relatively low. However, underpaying for participation results in the possible exploitation of research participants, the overburdening of certain populations who are willing to accept low payments, and the scientific risks of failed studies due to under-enrollment.1 For minimal risk research, any concern at all about compensation is likely unnecessary, as the risks are so low that it would be very unlikely that any participant could be making a decision to take a risk that is unreasonable.

Types of Payments to Participants

Reimbursement of study-related expenses.

Reimbursement of expenses related to participation in research studies, whether provided by the sponsor or by the institution, should never be of ethical concern. While there are rare instances in which ethically-acceptable studies involve requiring participants to pay for study-required procedures or medications—most often in situations where diagnostic testing is being used for both clinical and research purposes—for the most part, research participation should be cost-neutral. Making research cost-neutral helps to ensure the principle of distributive justice, and that the risks and benefits of research participation are fairly distributed. If each research visit involves out-of-pocket expenses for gas, food during a long wait between scheduled blood draws, parking fees, and child care, then only those who can afford those expenses would be able to participate in the research. Coverage of expenses for airfare, overnight hotel stays, and other long-distance travel for research participation used to prompt additional ethical concerns based on the higher amounts of money involved. Comfort for these practices has grown over the last several years, in part based on studies in rare diseases and more specific patient populations, where the research is conducted at centers of excellence but potential subjects may be coming from other states or even other countries.

A number of different models for covering out-of-pocket expenses are acceptable including collection of receipts and reimbursement in cash or check; vouchers for taxis, parking or meals; pre-funded debit cards; or providing a per-diem amount based on average and expected expenses. Comfort has also grown with using third party vendors such as Uber and Lyft to bring participants to study visits, with direct billing to the sponsor.

Compensation for Time and Effort

Studies which include compensation for the time and effort of research participants should make an effort to consider the actual time spent on the study, including study visits, tasks outside study visits (completing surveys or diaries), and even travel time to clinical sites, keeping in mind that participants may be missing work in order to complete the study requirements. Payment amounts should be high enough so that they do not take advantage of populations with lower income; proposed payment amounts are sometimes based on local minimum wages, which provides a handy benchmark, but basing study payment on a low wage does have the effect that anyone who makes more than that wage will be losing money if they miss work for study commitments.

There are a number of models that have been proposed for the compensation of research participants, including a wage-payment model, and payment based on market forces and supply and demand. 2

Incentive Payments

Some study plans include, either explicitly or implicitly, the payment to potential participants in a manner or at a rate that is intended to persuade them to participate in the research study, above what might be considered compensation for time or effort. For example, one study offered to pay the costs of elective plastic surgery for which the patients were already scheduled—several thousand dollars—if the patients agreed to participate in a 24-hour-long post-operative study comparing a new pain medication to the standard medication. Another study offered access to services (consultation with personal coaches) and gifts up to a value of approximately $6000 for participation in a study that required the completion of a survey every three months for a year. While the initial reaction to the amounts of money involved is usually caution, if we go back to the discussion of undue influence earlier in the paper, is there truly a valid concern? In both cases, an IRB had determined that the risks of the research were reasonable in relation to the potential benefits; in the second example, the risks were minimal. If the sponsor is willing to pay a certain amount of money to ensure that they were able to enroll the study with the necessary number of participants and in a reasonable amount of time, these types of payments should be acceptable.

Efforts to protect research participants from undue influence, and researchers and sponsors from perceptions of trying to use undue influence, have long been a major concern for IRBs. However, the true risk of undue influence is significantly lower than has often been assumed, when considering research that has been IRB-approved and for which the risks are considered to be reasonable. Instead, parties involved in research should consider whether payments to research participants are sometimes too low.

• Largent E and Lynch HF. Paying research participants: The outsized influence of “undue influence.” IRB: Ethics & Human Research 2017;39(4):1-9.
• Grady C. Payment of clinical research subjects. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2005;115(7):1681-1687. doi:10.1172/JCI25694.

Don't trust your study to just anyone.

WCG's IRB experts are standing by to handle your study with the utmost urgency and care. Contact us today to find out the WCG difference!

MAGI 2024: The Clinical Research Conference

Event Details