Paid Clinical Trials in Charleston, SC
As of June 2026, 720 paid clinical trials are recruiting in Charleston, South Carolina. 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.
Charleston offers studies at sites including Medical University of South Carolina for conditions such as Stroke, Depression, Heart Failure, Breast Cancer. 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 Charleston
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Charleston has approximately 720 recruiting research studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. South Carolina hosts a diverse network of universities, academic medical centers, and community hospitals that run clinical trials across oncology, cardiology, neurology, and many other therapeutic areas.
Top Research Study Locations in Charleston
Researchers run research studies in Charleston, SC 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.
| Site | Specializes in | Active trials |
|---|---|---|
| Medical University of South Carolina | Stroke, Breast Cancer, Cancer | 396 |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) | ARDS, ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome | 30 |
| Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC | Stroke, Depression, PTSD | 23 |
| Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center | Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v8, Adenocarcinoma of the Colon, Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum | 11 |
| MUSC | Focal Epilepsy, Tricuspid Valve Disease, Arrhythmias | 8 |
| Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System | Alzheimer Disease, Adjustment Disorders, Agitation | 8 |
| Hollings Cancer Center | Acute Myeloid Leukemia, B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Breast Cancer | 7 |
| Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center | Brain Metastases, Cancer (With CNS Involvement), Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma | 5 |
| GSK Investigational Site | Asthma, Chickenpox, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome | 4 |
| Bon Secours Saint Francis Hospital | Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, HER2-Negative Breast Carcinoma | 4 |
| Hollings Cancer Center at Medical University of South Carolina | B-cell Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma | 4 |
| Lowcountry Lung and Critical Care | Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis | 4 |
| MUSC Hollings Cancer Center | Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Advanced Solid Tumor, Cachexia | 4 |
| Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital | Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Adrenal Insufficiency, Arrythmia | 4 |
| Medical University of South Carolina University Hospital | Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Ischemic Stroke, Atrial Fibrillation | 4 |
| Roper Hospital | Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, HER2-Negative Breast Carcinoma | 4 |
| Medical University South Carolina | Knee Arthroplasty, Total, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, Myasthenia Gravis | 3 |
| Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center | Alzheimers Disease, Prostate Cancer, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive | 3 |
| Trident Medical Center | Persistent Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Paroxysmal AF | 3 |
| 30 Bee Street | Depression, Post Stroke Pain | 2 |
| 89bio Clinical Study Site | Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) / Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) With Compensated Cirrhosis, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASH) / Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) With Fibrosis | 2 |
| Akero Clinical Study Site | MASH - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis, MASH With Fibrosis, NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis | 2 |
| Charleston Neuroscience Institute, LLC (Charleston) | Macular Edema Secondary to Inflammation | 2 |
| Charleston Oncology - Roper | Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, HER2-Negative Breast Carcinoma | 2 |
| Charleston Oncology - Saint Francis | Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, HER2-Negative Breast Carcinoma | 2 |
Active & Upcoming Studies in Charleston (2026)
Recruiting trials in Charleston grouped by therapeutic area, drawn from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each bucket shows the most recent example studies.
Cancer & tumors (194 active studies)
- Omission of Postoperative Radiation in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Using ctHPVDNA Surveillance (OPERATION) · Phase 2 · Medical University of South Carolina
- CBD for Breast Cancer Primary Tumors · Phase 1 · Medical University of South Carolina
Neurology & pain (67 active studies)
- Post-Operative Steroids After Sleep Surgery · Phase 2 · Medical University of South Carolina
- GBPDC: Gut-Brain in PD Consortium Master Protocol · Duke University
Mental health & behavior (59 active studies)
- PTSD and Alcohol Couples Treatment for Veterans · EARLY_Phase 1 · VA Office of Research and Development
- Treatment of Depression Post-SCI · Medical University of South Carolina
Cardiovascular (51 active studies)
- A Research Study to Look at How Well NNC0487-0111 Works Compared to Placebo in People With Heart Failure and Obesity · Phase 3 · Novo Nordisk A/S
- Pivotal Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the P&F TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System · P+F Products + Features USA Inc.
Pediatric (14 active studies)
- The CATSINDO Trial - Clinical and Translational Study in Newly Diagnosed Osteosarcoma · Phase 2 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- A Pragmatic Clinical Trial of the WE BEAT Well-Being Education Program in Adolescent Congenital Heart Disease: WE BEAT CHD Study · Carelon Research
Diabetes & metabolic (10 active studies)
Eye & vision (10 active studies)
- Direct vs Standard SLT for Glaucoma: A Noninferiority Trial · Medical University of South Carolina
- A Clinical Trial of EYE201/MK-8748 in People With Macular Degeneration (MK-8748-002) · Phase 2, Phase 3 · EyeBiotech Ltd.
Vaccines (4 active studies)
- A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of CD388 for Prevention of Influenza · Phase 3 · Cidara Therapeutics Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA)
- A Surveillance Study of Susceptibility to Baloxavir Marboxil in Pediatric Participants With Influenza and Transmission of Influenza to Household Contacts · Phase 3 · Hoffmann-La Roche
HIV / STI (3 active studies)
- Engaging Pharmacists to Advance Tobacco Treatment Service Delivery · Medical University of South Carolina
- Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Tool for At-Risk Trauma-Exposed Young People · Medical University of South Carolina
Common conditions studied in Charleston
- Stroke (18 active studies). Stroke trials test acute reperfusion strategies, neuroprotective agents, and rehabilitation technologies to improve recovery.
- Cancer (11 active studies). Recruiting Cancer studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
- Depression (11 active studies). Depression studies test rapid-acting antidepressants including ketamine derivatives, psilocybin-assisted therapy, and neuromodulation approaches.
- Heart Failure (11 active studies). Heart failure trials explore SGLT-2 inhibitors, novel myosin modulators, and device-based therapies for both reduced and preserved ejection fraction.
- Breast Cancer (10 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
- Prostate Cancer (9 active studies). Prostate cancer studies test next-generation hormone therapies, PARP inhibitors, and radioligand treatments for both localized and advanced disease.
Leading research sponsors in Charleston
- Medical University of South Carolina
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- VA Office of Research and Development
- AstraZeneca
- NRG Oncology
Local regulations and guidelines
Clinical trials in South Carolina 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. South Carolina 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 Charleston. 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 Charleston
Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in Charleston 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 Charleston?
There are approximately 720 recruiting clinical trials in Charleston, South Carolina listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The number changes weekly as new studies open and others close enrollment.
Do clinical trials in Charleston pay participants?
Most recruiting trials in Charleston 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 Charleston?
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 Charleston?
The most common conditions under active study in Charleston include Stroke (18), Cancer (11), Depression (11), Heart Failure (11), among many others. Browse the list above to explore every recruiting trial.
Are there clinical trials for healthy volunteers in Charleston?
Yes. Healthy-volunteer studies — often early-phase pharmacology or vaccine trials — recruit in Charleston 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 Charleston?
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 Charleston?
Recruiting research sites in Charleston include Medical University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, 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 Charleston right now?
The largest active categories in Charleston are Cancer & tumors (194), Neurology & pain (67), Mental health & behavior (59). Use the filters above to narrow by therapeutic area, phase, age, or healthy-volunteer eligibility.