This Company is Looking for Clinical Trial Participants (And Will Pay up to $12,000)

Taking part in a clinical research study is a great way to help find treatments for common illnesses… 

…and, we’re not going to lie, it’s also a great way to potentially earn some extra money. 

Wait! Before your imagination runs wild, know that clinical trials really aren’t that scary. You just have to find legit opportunities that are worth your time.

We suggest starting with a contract research organization called Parexel, which has been around since 1982. It conducts clinical trials in Baltimore, Los Angeles and London — and it’s willing to pay you up to $12,000 per study.

Sooo… Tell Me More About These Trials

These research organizations spend years testing new medications and devices in hopes of treating common illnesses.

After all that research, they move to the next step — these clinical trials — so the Food and Drug Administration will give its stamp of approval. It’s the last stop before something is offered to the public.

And that’s where you can help. You don’t necessarily have to have an illness, either; Parexel is looking for healthy participants, as well. The first phases of Parexel studies typically focus on healthy volunteers, and these studies tend to pay more.  

Here’s how to get started:

1. Go to Parexel’s website, and scroll through its available studies in Baltimore, Los Angeles and London.
2. Take note of each study’s dates, requirements and compensation.
3. If you find a match, apply for the study online by filling out some basic information.

If you don’t find a match? Join Parexel’s mailing list, and it’ll email you when new trials become available.

Are There Any Major Requirements?

Hop over to Parexel’s list of available studies. It outlines any specific requirements upfront so you won’t waste your time. For example, one study, available at the time of writing this article, simply needed healthy volunteers who don’t smoke. Others will be more specific — like those with arthritis or non-childbearing women.

As a general rule of thumb, Parexel is looking for participants who:

• Are ages 18 to 55.
• Live anywhere in the U.S. and can travel to Baltimore, Los Angeles and London.
• Generally have a body mass index (BMI) of 32 or less. (You can calculate your BMI on Parexel’s site.) For healthy volunteers, Parexel is looking for people in overall good health, who are not diagnosed with any major medical conditions and don’t consistently require prescription medications. 

Some trials will require you to stay on site for up to 20 nights (those pay more), and others simply require you to stop in for flexible tests and screenings. Generally, you’ll get paid per visit — with Parexel, the average is $300 to $350.

So if you’re looking for some extra money and want to help find treatments to common diseases, sign up for a clinical research study.

Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.