Paid Research Studies at Penn
Get paid $50–$300+ for online research studies, surveys, and remote focus groups open to PA residents at Penn, plus in-person studies at Penn when available. Penn anchors Philadelphia's University City research corridor, where the medical system and neighbouring universities recruit continuously for paid studies.
Online studies open to PA residents
229 online studies are open to anyone in PA right now — take part from home, on your schedule, plus 1 in-person study at Penn.
Research Study in Philadelphia on Nicotine - up to $800
Do you smoke cigarettes and live in the Philadelphia area? Adults 21 to 65 who currently smoke are invited to an in-person clinical research study about cigarette and e-cigarette use, starting with a screening and enrollment visit at a research site in Philadelphia. Qualified participants receive $75 for completing the screening visit, and up to $800 in total for completing the full study. 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 Software Usage - $100
How do you navigate your work with different software platforms? Participants are invited to a 60-minute online research study about using various software tools. Qualified participants will receive $100 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 Sports Coaching - $250
Are you a coach looking to share your insights? Participants are invited to a 45-minute online research study about sports coaching practices. Qualified participants will receive $250 if completed by October 27, 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 Somatic Cases - $50
Are you experienced in analyzing somatic cases? Participants are invited to a 20-minute online unmoderated task about somatic interpretation. Qualified participants will receive $50 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 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.
How to get paid for research studies at Penn
Most paid research open to Penn 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 PA. Penn anchors Philadelphia's University City research corridor, where the medical system and neighbouring universities recruit continuously for paid studies. 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 University City or West Philadelphia or anywhere else in PA — and in-person focus groups and trials at Penn are listed here whenever recruiters are running them.
Not tied to Penn specifically? Browse paid studies near you, or go straight to paid psychology studies and other ways to get paid for your opinion.
Penn Medicine, CHOP, and Drexel all recruit within a few blocks of each other in University City, so a Penn student can usually find in-person paid studies without crossing the Schuylkill.
Getting started is free: create an account, tell us a little about yourself, and browse the studies you qualify for at Penn. Registering takes one tap, and you're paid directly by the research panel on completion.
Who runs paid research at Penn
- The Wharton behavioural lab
- Runs short economics and decision-making experiments paying cash, and it recruits from outside the university as well as from students.
- Penn's behavioural economics health research
- Penn is a leading centre for studies that test how incentives change health behaviour — meaning the study design itself is often about what you are paid and when.
- Penn Medicine and CHOP
- Two large hospital systems a few blocks apart in University City, recruiting adults and families respectively for clinical research.
What paid studies at Penn actually pay
Penn has an unusual wrinkle: because it is a centre for behavioural economics, a fair number of its studies are experiments about incentives, where the payment structure is the thing being tested. You might be offered a fixed amount, a lottery entry, or a bonus for hitting a target, and which one you get may be randomly assigned. That is not a catch — it is the research question — but it means the advertised figure is sometimes a range rather than a promise, and it is worth reading how payment is determined before enrolling.
Getting to in-person studies at Penn
University City is dense and walkable: Penn's campus, Penn Medicine, CHOP, and Drexel sit within a few blocks of each other, and SEPTA's Market–Frankford line and Regional Rail both serve the area. Almost nothing here requires crossing the river, let alone a car.
When recruiting picks up at Penn
The Wharton lab and departmental pools follow the semester, thinning sharply over the summer. Penn Medicine and CHOP recruit year-round, so summer shifts the balance towards clinical and family studies.
Paid research studies at Penn — FAQ
Why do some Penn studies describe payment as a range?+
Because Penn is a major centre for behavioural economics, and a number of its studies are testing how different incentive structures change behaviour. You might be randomly assigned a fixed payment, a lottery entry, or a performance bonus. It is the research question rather than a catch, but read how payment is determined before you enrol.
How is this different from the Philadelphia page?+
This page covers research recruiting through Penn — the Wharton lab, the departmental pools, and Penn Medicine. The Philadelphia page covers the whole city, including Jefferson, Temple, and the gene-therapy companies, which recruit residents with no university connection.
How much do paid research studies at Penn pay?+
Most paid studies for Penn 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 Penn students?+
Yes. Many studies are fully online and open to anyone in PA, so you can take part from University City 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. Penn 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 Penn. 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 Penn pay?
Paid research studies open to PA residents and Penn students typically pay $50–$300+, and clinical trials pay more; the top study on StudySnag right now pays $250. Right now 229 online studies are open to anyone in PA, plus 1 in-person study at Penn. You always see the exact payout before you register, and it's free to join.
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