Read before screening
Informed consent studies explained
What the consent document must cover, what signing does and does not commit you to, and how withdrawal works.
Studies
General recruiting research, sorted by what it asks of you
These categories describe the kinds of studies commonly open to new volunteers. First Study Steps does not run studies or enroll participants.
Getting started
The first things a new volunteer usually looks at before contacting any research site.
Preparation
Screening visit basics
Inclusion and exclusion criteria, what happens at a first visit, and why not qualifying is routine.
Checklist
Questions to bring with you
A printable list of questions covering time, procedures, risks, reimbursement, and who to contact.
Time and commitment
Study opportunities grouped by how much of your calendar they ask for.
1 visit
Short single-visit research
One visit, a set of measurements or a sample, and no ongoing schedule after the visit is complete.
4 to 12 visits
Multi-visit outpatient studies
A defined visit schedule over weeks or months, with each appointment described in the protocol up front.
6 months and beyond
Extended follow-up studies
Longer participation with spaced follow-up contacts, often for conditions that are tracked over time.
Where studies happen
The kinds of settings that run general recruiting research.
Clinic based
Dedicated research sites
Facilities whose main work is running clinical trials, with staff assigned to volunteer coordination.
Institutional
Hospital and academic centers
Research embedded in a larger care setting, usually with an institutional review board on site.
Remote friendly
Decentralized and at-home studies
Protocols that use remote check-ins, shipped devices, or local labs instead of frequent travel.
Want to hear when opportunities like these are posted? Account notifications and marketing texts are separate, optional choices.
Start Exploring Studies