Paid Research Studies at UCSF
Get paid $50–$300+ for online research studies, surveys, and remote focus groups open to CA residents at UCSF, plus in-person studies at UCSF when available. UCSF is a health-sciences-only campus, so nearly all of its paid research is clinical, and recruiting reaches across San Francisco rather than just the student body.
Online studies open to CA residents
266 online studies are open to anyone in CA right now — take part from home, on your schedule, plus 1 in-person study at UCSF.
1-on-1 Interview in Bay Area on Craft Business - $200
Are you passionate about turning your skills or craft into a flourishing business? Participants are invited to a 90-minute one-on-one interview about building a venture around their craft or community service. Qualified participants will receive $200 if completed by September 1, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on Professional Development in UX - $100
Are you looking to enhance your skills in UX and related fields? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about professional development, training, and certification in UX. Qualified participants will receive $100 if completed by August 25, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on Barbers - $150
How do modern barbers manage their business and routine? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online 1-on-1 interview about using Booksy. Qualified participants will receive $150 if completed by August 25, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on Staffing and Recruiting - $85
How does your staffing and recruiting process work in today's landscape? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about the agreements and contracts involved in staffing placements. Qualified participants will receive $85 if completed by September 18, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
1-on-1 Interview on Learning Platforms - $100
Are you currently using modern learning platforms in your technical field? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online 1-on-1 session about learning and professional development tools. Qualified participants will receive $100 if completed by August 26, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on Personalized Experiences - $250
Are you curious about the latest personalized experiences? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about new personalized experiences. Qualified participants will receive $250 if completed by August 28, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on AI-Native Technology Services - $180
How are AI-native technology services transforming business models? Participants are invited to a 30-minute online unmoderated task about AI-native technology services. Qualified participants will receive $180 if completed by August 25, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Focus Group on Canada National Parties - $85
How do national parties influence your voting choices? Participants are invited to a 90-minute online focus group about the Canada National Parties. Qualified participants will receive $85 if completed by September 7, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
Research Study on Store Operations Software - $120
Are you an owner or leader of a small retail business? Participants are invited to a 25-minute online research study about your experiences with store operations software. Qualified participants will receive $120 if completed by September 14, 2026. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Spots are limited and tend to fill fast. Applying doesn't guarantee a slot, and qualification criteria may change at any time without notice.
How to get paid for research studies at UCSF
Most paid research open to UCSF is now online — remote focus groups over video, online interviews, paid surveys, product tests, and diary studies you can do from home, open to anyone in CA. UCSF is a health-sciences-only campus, so nearly all of its paid research is clinical, and recruiting reaches across San Francisco rather than just the student body. StudySnag aggregates these into one feed so you don't have to hunt across panels, Craigslist, and university boards.
Most studies pay $50–$300, and paid clinical trials can pay significantly more. Because the studies are remote, you can take part whether you're near Parnassus or Mission Bay or anywhere else in CA — and in-person focus groups and trials at UCSF are listed here whenever recruiters are running them.
Not tied to UCSF specifically? Browse paid studies near you, or go straight to paid psychology studies and other ways to get paid for your opinion.
Unlike a general campus, UCSF has no undergraduates to draw on, so its studies advertise to the wider city — which means Bay Area residents, not just students, are the intended volunteers for most listings here.
Getting started is free: create an account, tell us a little about yourself, and browse the studies you qualify for at UCSF. Registering takes one tap, and you're paid directly by the research panel on completion.
Who runs paid research at UCSF
- The Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses
- UCSF's two main sites sit on opposite sides of the city — the older hospital complex above the Inner Sunset, and the newer research campus by the bay — each recruiting for different programmes.
- Large-scale online health studies
- UCSF has run some of the biggest internet-based cardiovascular and health cohorts in the country, enrolling participants remotely rather than requiring visits.
- The clinical research centre
- Coordinates trials across the university, including studies needing healthy control participants alongside patients.
What paid studies at UCSF actually pay
UCSF is worth understanding as a city institution rather than a campus one. With no undergraduates, it has no cheap subject pool, so there is very little of the $15-a-session behavioural work found at general universities — nearly everything is clinical and pays accordingly. Its large remote cohort studies are the other side: enrolment is free and effortless, payment per occasion is small or absent, and the value is in contributing rather than earning.
Getting to in-person studies at UCSF
The two campuses are a genuine distance apart, and UCSF runs its own free shuttle between them, which is the practical way across. Muni serves both — Parnassus above the Inner Sunset, Mission Bay near the T line — so neither requires a car.
When recruiting picks up at UCSF
There is no academic calendar effect here, because there are no undergraduates to create one. Enrolment is driven entirely by when studies open, and runs at a constant rate through the year.
Paid research studies at UCSF — FAQ
Can I take part at UCSF if I'm not a student?+
Yes — that is the normal case. UCSF has no undergraduate college, so its studies are written to recruit San Francisco and Bay Area residents from the general public. Being a student is neither expected nor an advantage.
How is this different from the San Francisco page?+
This page covers UCSF's own clinical research specifically. The San Francisco page covers the whole Bay Area market, and its largest component — technology user research — has no connection to UCSF or any university.
How much do paid research studies at UCSF pay?+
Most paid studies for UCSF participants pay between $50 and $300, while clinical trials can pay much more. You'll always see the exact payout before you register.
Are there online paid studies for UCSF students?+
Yes. Many studies are fully online and open to anyone in CA, so you can take part from Parnassus or anywhere nearby. In-person focus groups and clinical trials are also listed when available.
Do I need to be a student to join?+
No — anyone US-based can join. UCSF students are especially in demand, but it's open to everyone.
How do I get started?+
Create a free StudySnag account, tell us a bit about yourself, and browse the studies you qualify for at UCSF. Registering for a study takes one tap.
Paid research studies in other cities
Paid research studies for students
How much do paid research studies at UCSF pay?
Paid research studies open to CA residents and UCSF students typically pay $50–$300+, and clinical trials pay more; the top study on StudySnag right now pays $250. Right now 266 online studies are open to anyone in CA, plus 1 in-person study at UCSF. You always see the exact payout before you register, and it's free to join.
Start earning from your opinions 💸
Free to join. Browse hundreds of paid studies and register in seconds.
Find paid studies at UCSF