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
244 online studies are open to anyone in CA right now — take part from home, on your schedule, plus 1 in-person study at UCSF.
Focus Group in SF on Arts & Culture - $150
What role do arts and culture play in your life? Join a 1-hour online interview for San Francisco Bay Area residents on various dates in October and November 2026. Receive $150 via digital payment for your time and feedback. If you are interested in participating, please sign up and take the survey to see if you qualify! Space is limited, subject to availability. Criteria for qualification are subject to change at any time and without notice.
Research Study on HR Technology - $120
What challenges do you face with HR technology tools? Participants are invited to a 30-minute online research study about their experiences with various HR systems and platforms. Qualified participants will receive $120 if completed by November 10, 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 IT Administration Tools - $175
Are you responsible for managing IT or cybersecurity tools? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online interview about the workflows and tools used in your day-to-day work. Qualified participants will receive $175 if completed by October 23, 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 Incontinence - $250
Are you an adult male dealing with incontinence? Participants are invited to a two-week online research study about using products and sharing experiences. Qualified participants will receive $250 if completed by November 3, 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 Document Management - $50
How do you manage and share documents in the media industry? Participants are invited to a 50-minute online research study about document management and file-sharing tools in film, video production, advertising, music, and publishing. Qualified participants will receive $50 if completed by November 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 Career Exploration for Genetic Counselors - $35
Have you ever thought about how your career journey can inspire others? Participants are invited to a 25-minute online unmoderated task about sharing your experiences as a genetic counselor. Qualified participants will receive $35 if completed by October 31, 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 Bladder Cancer - $250
Are you living with bladder cancer? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about living with bladder cancer. Qualified participants will receive $250 if completed by October 30, 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 Athletic Footwear - $250
Are you an athlete or coach interested in footwear for training? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about their training habits and athletic footwear experiences. Qualified participants will receive $250 if completed by December 23, 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 Lending Usability - $50
How intuitive is a new website structure for lending? Participants are invited to a 20-minute online unmoderated task about assessing the clarity and organization of information related to consumer and business lending and risk management. Qualified participants will receive $50 if completed by October 9, 2027. 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.
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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 244 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.
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