Paid Clinical Trials in Columbia, MD

As of June 2026, 80 paid clinical trials are recruiting in Columbia, Maryland. Compensation typically covers time, travel, and study visits, with stipends ranging from modest amounts for short outpatient studies to several thousand dollars for long or inpatient protocols.

Columbia offers studies at sites including Central Maryland Radiation Oncology in Howard County for conditions such as Breast Cancer, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Obesity. Both patients with specific conditions and healthy volunteers can qualify. Most trials offer free study-related medical care alongside compensation.

Recruiting trial data synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov. Last sync: .

Trials by specialty in Columbia

Oncology· 49Women's health· 13Breast oncology· 10Endocrinology· 8Metabolic health· 7Weight loss· 7GI oncology· 6Neuro-oncology· 6Lung oncology· 5Urology· 5Gynecologic oncology· 4Blood cancer· 4

Trials by drug in Columbia

Tamoxifen· 2Anastrozole· 1Letrozole· 1Methotrexate· 1
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About research studies in Columbia

Columbia has approximately 80 recruiting research studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Maryland hosts Johns Hopkins Medicine and the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, giving participants access to some of the most advanced early-phase research in the country.

Top Research Study Locations in Columbia

Researchers run research studies in Columbia, MD at 25 active sites. The clinics below currently host the largest number of recruiting studies — each name is followed by the conditions they focus on most.

SiteSpecializes inActive trials
Central Maryland Radiation Oncology in Howard CountyMetastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Brain, Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma, Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v810
Centennial Medical GroupObesity, Overweight, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)6
Central Maryland Radiation OncologyBrain Tumor, Glioblastoma, Glioma5
Maryland Oncology Hematology, P.A.Breast Cancer, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer5
Johns Hopkins UniversityAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), Cardiovascular Disease4
Maryland Oncology HematologyBreast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer4
MedStar Health Research InstituteDegenerative Disc Disease, Leg Pain and/or Back Pain, Rotator Cuff Tear3
Central Maryland Oncology CenterBreast Cancer, Breast Cancer Female2
Erlanger Health SystemAChR-Ab Seropositive Generalized Myasthenia Gravis, CIDP, CIDP - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy2
Kailera Clinical SiteObesity, Obesity With Diabetes, Overweight2
Maryland Oncology Hematology - ColumbiaCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (NSCLC)2
Anxiety Treatment Center of MarylandAnxiety Disorder of Childhood1
BaxisBacterial Conjunctivitis1
Centennial Medical Group (CMG)HOMA-IR, Mobility Disability, Obesity & Overweight1
Centennial Medical Group Research DepartmentOSA1
Charter Professional CenterArthroplasty Complications, Fragility Fracture, Osteoporosis1
Clearway Pain Solutions - ColumbiaLumbar Spinal Stenosis1
Foundation Fighting BlindnessAchromatopsia, Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, Bassen-Kornzweig Syndrome1
GSK Investigational SiteNeoplasms, Head and Neck1
Galderma InvestigationalAtopic Dermatitis1
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, Howard County PediatricsAdolescent Alcohol Use1
Johns Hopkins Howard County Operating RoomLumbar Spinal Stenosis1
Johns Hopkins Surgery Centr- Howard CountyLumbar Spinal Stenosis1
KUR Research @ ColumbiaObesity and Overweight1
KUR Research at CMPDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Metabolic Syndrome, PreDiabetes1

Active & Upcoming Studies in Columbia (2026)

Recruiting trials in Columbia grouped by therapeutic area, drawn from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each bucket shows the most recent example studies.

Cancer & tumors (35 active studies)

Diabetes & metabolic (8 active studies)

Vaccines (2 active studies)

Mental health & behavior (2 active studies)

Neurology & pain (2 active studies)

Cardiovascular (1 active study)

Eye & vision (1 active study)

Pediatric (1 active study)

Common conditions studied in Columbia

  • Breast Cancer (8 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (3 active studies). Recruiting Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
  • Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (3 active studies). Recruiting Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
  • Obesity (3 active studies). Obesity trials evaluate GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, novel metabolic drugs, and combined lifestyle interventions for sustainable weight loss.
  • Overweight (3 active studies). Recruiting Overweight studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
  • Brain Tumor (2 active studies). Recruiting Brain Tumor studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Leading research sponsors in Columbia

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • NRG Oncology
  • Pfizer
  • AstraZeneca
  • Eli Lilly and Company

Local regulations and guidelines

Clinical trials in Maryland are governed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) standards, and federal HIPAA privacy rules. Every study is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to protect participant safety and ensure informed consent. Maryland research additionally follows state public health department oversight and any applicable state privacy statutes.

Compensation & what to expect

How payment typically works
Compensation is most often provided through reloadable electronic study cards or direct deposit, paid out per completed visit rather than as a lump sum. Amounts vary by the time required, the number of visits, and the study's complexity — overnight stays and inpatient pharmacology studies generally pay more than short outpatient surveys. The exact amount is disclosed in writing during informed consent before any visit.
Healthy volunteers
Healthy participants aged 18 and older can earn compensation by joining vaccine, pharmacology, and biomarker studies in Columbia. These trials check how a new drug or vaccine behaves in healthy bodies before later-phase testing. Many sites maintain a healthy-volunteer registry so you hear about new opportunities first.
What's included beyond payment
Most trials cover study-related medical care at no cost — physical exams, lab work, imaging, the investigational treatment itself, and follow-up visits with the research team. Insurance is not required to participate. Free check-ups and access to specialists are common reasons participants return for additional studies.
Travel and time
Many sponsors reimburse travel, parking, mileage, and lost wages for visit days. Long-running studies and trials that require frequent visits often raise stipends accordingly. Ask the study coordinator for the visit schedule and reimbursement policy before you commit.
Asking about compensation
Compensation is set per protocol and per site, so figures are not published in trial registries. The fastest way to confirm payment for a specific study is to contact the recruiting site listed on the study record. Coordinators are accustomed to this question and will quote the per-visit and total amounts up front.

How to find a clinical trial in Columbia

Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in Columbia from ClinicalTrials.gov and refreshes the list daily. Use the filters above to narrow by condition, facility, age, phase, or healthy-volunteer eligibility, then click any study title to view full details — eligibility criteria, intervention, location, and sponsor contact information. To enroll, reach out to the central study contact listed on the study detail page; the research coordinator will walk you through the screening process.

Frequently asked questions

How many paid clinical trials are currently recruiting in Columbia?

There are approximately 80 recruiting clinical trials in Columbia, Maryland listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The number changes weekly as new studies open and others close enrollment.

Do clinical trials in Columbia pay participants?

Most recruiting trials in Columbia compensate participants for their time, travel, and study visits. Compensation varies by sponsor, study phase, and visit requirements — the exact amount is disclosed by the study team during the informed consent process.

Who can participate in a clinical trial in Columbia?

Eligibility depends on the specific study. Each trial defines its own inclusion criteria (age, diagnosis, medical history, prior treatments) and exclusion criteria. Both patients with specific conditions and healthy volunteers can qualify, depending on the study design.

What conditions are most commonly studied in Columbia?

The most common conditions under active study in Columbia include Breast Cancer (8), Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (3), Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (3), Obesity (3), among many others. Browse the list above to explore every recruiting trial.

Are there clinical trials for healthy volunteers in Columbia?

Yes. Healthy-volunteer studies — often early-phase pharmacology or vaccine trials — recruit in Columbia on an ongoing basis. Use the "Healthy volunteers only" filter above to view trials that accept participants without the study's target condition.

How do I enroll in a clinical trial in Columbia?

Click any study title above to see the full study record, including eligibility criteria, visit schedule, and the study team's contact information. Reach out to the central contact or recruiting site directly — they will guide you through screening and informed consent.

Where can I take part in paid clinical trials in Columbia?

Recruiting research sites in Columbia include Central Maryland Radiation Oncology in Howard County, Centennial Medical Group, Central Maryland Radiation Oncology, among others. Each site lists its open studies and contact information on the study record above — call or email the site coordinator to ask about screening for a specific protocol.

What kinds of studies are recruiting in Columbia right now?

The largest active categories in Columbia are Cancer & tumors (35), Diabetes & metabolic (8), Vaccines (2). Use the filters above to narrow by therapeutic area, phase, age, or healthy-volunteer eligibility.

Browse more clinical trials

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Related healthcare resources in Maryland

Latest Maryland clinical trials research report

Trials by condition in Columbia

Breast Cancer· 8Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma· 3Obesity· 3Brain Tumor· 2