Struggling to get into a research lab? Volunteer to be a research subject to indirectly learn about how researches are carried out. Some research will pay! See a full list here here.
Study on wellness, stress coping
The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on wellness and stress coping in CU students. We want to understand what makes CU students resilient or vulnerable to stress, and explore how peer-based programs may foster wellness.
The study includes a few different parts:
- Everyone in the study will be sent a series of electronic surveys three times over the course of the year.
- Some qualifying participants will also complete two in-person research visits, which includes an interview about life experiences, a set of computer games, and a neuroimaging scan.
- Participants who are using Peer Wellness Coaching services at CU may choose to share information about their coaching experience with our research team (but you do not have to be using Peer Wellness Coaching to participate in the study).
The study takes place over the course of a full year, and you will be compensated for your participation (maximum of $504 to $608 for completing all parts of the study).
If you’re interested in learning more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu, 303-735-8306, or complete our web screen.
Study of brain activity during game play
The SHINE Lab is seeking participants for a study of brain activity during game play.
Am I eligible? You are eligible to participate in this research study if you:
- Are able to visit our lab at CU Boulder
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have no history of seizures
- Are proficient with computers
What does my participation entail? The study requires one visit (2-3 hours) to the lab on East Campus (1777 Exposition Drive, Boulder, CO 80309).
You will play several games with others for money and complete a series of questionnaires. You will be paid $15/hour for participating and will have the opportunity to earn bonus money for your decisions. While playing the games, you will also wear a non-invasive brain measurement device called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS uses light to monitor blood flow in the brain.
What are the COVID-related safety procedures? We will take utmost care to ensure your safety for the duration of the visit, with stringent procedures approved by CU administration.
- We provide masks, hand-washing stations and temperature checks on arrival.
- All occupants of the building are required to wear a mask at all times.
- All equipment is sterilized between uses with medical-grade disinfectant.
- You will be alone in the testing room for most of the study (a researcher will run the session from an adjacent room, instructing you via video conference).
- Only six people will be in the facility at a time (<50% occupancy).
How will I get paid? You will be paid in cash.
What are the next steps? If you are interested in participating, please contact us at shinelabstudy@gmail.com.
Study on sleep, performance, gut health
This study is about how sleep loss affects your ability to think and changes the helpful bacteria living in your gut. We are also testing how a prebiotic diet alters how you and the bacteria living in your gut respond to sleep loss and being awake at night. This research will help us to create treatments and strategies for people working long hours under stressful conditions at night (e.g., emergency workers and military personnel).
We are looking for healthy men and women, aged 18-35, to participate in two laboratory visits of approximately 3.7 days each at the CU Boulder Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory.
Participants will be compensated up to $2,451. For study details, email sleep.study@colorado.edu and ask about the Navy study.
Study on anxiety, inflammation, stress
The CUChange lab in the Institute for Cognitive Science and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is looking for participants for a paid study on anxiety (OASIS).
They are looking for participants for a research study on the use of cannabis in people who experience anxiety (IRB #16-0767). You can make up to $335 for only three appointments! Must be 21 years or older. Open to the public.
Email oasis.custudy@gmail.com for more details or fill in the online, confidential screening form.
Study on low-back pain, cannabis
The CUChange lab in the Institute for Cognitive Science and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is looking for participants for a paid study on low-back pain (PRISM).
We are looking for participants for a study on people with low-back pain who are interested in using edibles (IRB #17-0268). You can make up to $220 for only two appointments! Must be 21 years or older. Open to the public.
Contact prism.custudy@gmail.com or fill in the online, confidential survey.
Biomechanics cycling studies
The Locomotion Lab of the Integrative Physiology Department at CU Boulder is recruiting participants for two research studies.
Study on the effect of bicycle-rider geometry on cycling efficiency
These experiments are lab-based and involve a series of 5-minute cycling bouts on a level and inclined treadmill.
To be eligible for this study, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- In good health
- Cycle (outdoors or indoors) at least 4 hours per week
- BYO clip-in pedals and shoes
The study consists of two 2-hour sessions. This experiment is completely non-invasive.
Participants will receive one $25 Amazon gift card per session.
Study on the effect of bicycle saddle tilt on sprint, endurance cycling performance
The sprint testing will involve a series of 50-meter uphill sprints, which will take place outdoors. The endurance testing will involve a series of 5-minute bouts of cycling on a treadmill, which will take place in the CU Locomotion Laboratory in Clare Small Building 111c.
To be eligible for this study, you must:
- Be between 18–49 years old
- Be between 5'6"–6'2" tall
- Be in good health (unexposed/free from coronavirus)
- Cycle (outdoors or indoors) at least 4 hours per week
- Have at least one year of road cycling experience
- Have your own clip-in pedals and shoes
The study consists of two 2-hour sessions held on separate days (~4 hours total). This experiment is completely non-invasive.
You will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card as compensation for completing each session.
If you are interested in participating in either of these studies, please contact culocomotionlab@gmail.com.
Night shift, health research
We are seeking participants for a study of how shift work impacts your physical health. We will examine the amount of energy you expend and changes in blood sugar and insulin.
Am I eligible? You are eligible to participate in this research study if you:
- Are a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 45
- Working at least four night shifts per month and working full time (equal to or greater than 35 hours per week)
- No illicit drug use
- Not pregnant or nursing
- No children in the home under 1 year old
- Free of neurological or medical condition, like Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease
What does my participation entail? This two-week study requires two visits to our Clinical Translational Research Center (CTRC) on the Main Campus at Ramaley Biology Building, Boulder, CO 80309. The study will involve a physical health assessment (including blood draws), questionnaires, repeated urine sample collection, wearable sensors, a daily log and use of a mobile app.
We follow all recommended CDC, state, and university safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Will I get paid? You will be compensated $200 for your participation.
What are the next steps? Please fill out a brief survey to see if you qualify! Have a question? Please contact us at pathways-study@colorado.edu.
Study on moods and the brain
Have a history of bipolar disorder or depression? Interested in your moods and brain? Want a picture of your brain? Participate in a paid study to understand your own emotions and the emotions of others here on campus in the CU Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (IRB#17-0358)!
Study includes some or all of the following parts:
- Visit(s) 1 and 1.5 – Behavioral Lab Tasks: Interview about thoughts and feelings, physiological monitoring (heart rate), computer tasks, questionnaires (two to three hours each at $20 per hour). Visit 1 will take place remotely via Zoom video call.
- Visit 2 – fMRI Scan: View videos and pictures, and think about emotions while in a brain imaging scanner; complete computer tasks and questionnaires (two hours at $25 per hour and picture of your brain).
- Opportunities to participate in paid follow-up surveys may also be available.
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 55 years old. Please fill out a brief survey to apply.
Have a question? Please email gruberpeplab@colorado.edu with the subject line “MASC Emotion Study,” or give us a call at 512-956-7371.
Eye tracking study
We are seeking participants for a study of eye movements and brain activity during learning.
Am I eligible? You are eligible to participant in this research study if you:
- Currently reside in the Boulder area
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Are fluent in English
- Have not previously taken part in the Online Learning study with our lab
- Are in good health
- Have no history of seizures
- Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- Are proficient with computers
What does my participation entail? The study requires one visit of approximately two hours to the lab on East Campus (1777 Exposition Drive, Boulder, CO 80309—see COVID-19 safety procedures below), plus one 30-minute follow-up questionnaire to be completed online.
The first visit will involve having your eye movements, physiological responses (e.g., heart rate), video of your face/upper body, and brain activity non-invasively recorded while you complete a computer-based reading task and answer several questionnaires. It will take approximately two hours and you will be paid $20 per hour, for a total of $40. About a week later, you will complete a 30-minute online survey; upon completion you will receive an additional $10.
What are the COVID-related safety procedures? We will take utmost care to ensure your safety for the duration of the visit, with stringent procedures approved by CU administration.
- We provide masks, hand-washing stations and temperature checks on arrival
- All occupants of the building are required to wear a mask at all times
- All equipment is sterilized between uses with medical-grade disinfectant
- You will be alone in the testing room for most of the study (a researcher will run the session from an adjacent room, instructing you via video conference)
- Only three people will be in the facility at a time (<25% occupancy)
How will I get paid? Payment will be via an Amazon gift card.
What are the next steps? If you are interested in participating, please contact us at eyemindlink@gmail.com.
Study on female menstrual cycle
Andrew M. Novick and his team at CU are investigating ratings of digital images (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral and erotic) across the female menstrual cycle.
Study participation consists of two study sessions (done online) over the course of two months. These visits will consist of: questionnaires about your mood and some stressful life events, and rating of digital images (how pleasant/unpleasant and arousing/non-arousing you find these images).
Participation is not limited to members of CU. You may be eligible if you are:
- Between 18–35 years old
- Not taking hormonal birth control
- Have regular periods
- Not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant within the next two months
Participation in the study is voluntary. Eligible participants will receive compensation via e-gift cards for completing study activities.
If you are interested in learning more or to see if you qualify, please fill out this short eligibility survey.
Study on male sex hormones
Andrew M. Novick’s team at the University of Colorado is looking for men to participate in a study of how biological sex and sex hormones, like testosterone or estrogen, may influence stress, mood, social relationships and perceptions during these unusual times. The survey is online and includes questions about your health, mood, relationships and history. The study takes about 30 minutes to complete and can be done at any time.
Upon completing the study, you will have the option of entering a lottery with a 1/15 chance of winning $50 via your choice of an Amazon or Target e-gift card.
You may be eligible to participate if:
- You are a man
- You are 18-40 years old
- You do not have children
- You are generally healthy
Learn more or see if you qualify, or email anna.belyavskaya@cuanschutz.edu if you have any questions.
This research study has been approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB #20-1583).
Study on motivation, attention, memory
We are currently recruiting women and men ages 18–25 years for a research study investigating relationships between motivation, attention and memory in the brain using fMRI neuroimaging and TMS neurostimulation. Your involvement in the study will involve a brief screening (online or by telephone) to ensure eligibility.
You will receive between $15–25 per hour for your participation with the potential of winning additional bonus money. Get more information or complete an initial screening.