Clinical Trials at Stanford University

About research studies in Palo Alto

Palo Alto has approximately 658 recruiting research studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. California hosts a dense network of world-class research institutions, including UC San Diego Health, Stanford Medicine, UCLA Health, UCSF, City of Hope, and Scripps Research. The state's thriving biotech corridor and diverse patient population make it a national hub for both early-phase and late-phase clinical research.

Common conditions studied in Palo Alto

• Cancer (9 active studies). Recruiting Cancer studies evaluate investigational treatments, diagnostics, and supportive care approaches to improve patient outcomes.
• Heart Failure (8 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 (7 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (7 active studies). Leukemia trials evaluate targeted inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, and novel combinations for acute and chronic forms of the disease.
• Epilepsy (7 active studies). Epilepsy research focuses on new anti-seizure medications, neuromodulation devices, and precision therapies for genetic epilepsies.
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (6 active studies). Leukemia trials evaluate targeted inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, and novel combinations for acute and chronic forms of the disease.

Leading research sponsors in Palo Alto

• Stanford University
• VA Office of Research and Development
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Children's Oncology Group
• NRG Oncology

Local regulations and guidelines

Clinical trials in California 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. In addition, California-specific protections such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) impose stringent data-privacy requirements on research involving California residents.

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 Palo Alto. 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 Palo Alto

Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in Palo Alto 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

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