Paid Clinical Trials in San Diego, CA
As of June 2026, 807 paid clinical trials are recruiting in San Diego, California. 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.
San Diego offers studies at sites including University of California San Diego for conditions such as Heart Failure, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, 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 San Diego
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·Clear filters·↓ Download CSVAbout research studies in San Diego
San Diego has approximately 807 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.
Top Research Study Locations in San Diego
Researchers run research studies in San Diego, CA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| University of California San Diego | Anorexia Nervosa, Dementia, Vascular, Diabetes | 44 |
| University of California, San Diego | Femoral Fracture, Hiv, Nephrolithiasis | 42 |
| Rady Children's Hospital | Neuroblastoma, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Angelman Syndrome | 37 |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego | Malignant Solid Neoplasm, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia | 33 |
| VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA | Alcohol Use Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Mild Cognitive Impairment | 30 |
| Kaiser Permanente-San Diego Zion | Recurrent Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma, Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8 | 22 |
| UC San Diego Medical Center - Hillcrest | Metastatic Malignant Solid Neoplasm, Advanced Malignant Solid Neoplasm, Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8 | 22 |
| San Diego State University | Depression, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Obesity | 21 |
| Rady Children's Hospital San Diego | Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML or ANLL), Autoimmune Diseases | 16 |
| Naval Medical Center San Diego | Attention Concentration Difficulty, Attention Impaired, Autism | 12 |
| Artemis Institute for Clinical Research | Alcohol Use Disorder, Obesity, Overweight | 10 |
| Scripps Health | Atrial Fibrillation, Biliary Tract Cancer, Bone Marrow Transplant Complications | 10 |
| Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns | Infant, Newborn, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Neonatal) | 10 |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital | Advanced Solid Tumor, Acral Lentiginous Melanoma, Acral Melanoma | 9 |
| UC San Diego | Anxiety Disorders, Bone Tumor, Breast Cancer | 8 |
| Acclaim Clinical Research | Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Cardiovascular Diseases | 7 |
| Kaiser Permanente-San Diego Mission | Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Adenocarcinoma of the Colon, Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum | 7 |
| San Diego Cardiac Center | Heart Failure, Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Atrial Fibrillation | 7 |
| University of California - San Diego | Delivery Complication, Early Nutrition and the Preterm Infant, Growth &Amp; Development | 7 |
| West Dermatology Research Center | Laxity; Skin, Wrinkle, Facial Laxity | 7 |
| UCSD | Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome | 6 |
| California Protons Cancer Therapy Center | Breast Cancer, Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Breast Neoplasm | 6 |
| Naval Medical Center -San Diego | Adrenal Gland Pheochromocytoma, B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, B Lymphoblastic Lymphoma | 6 |
| Neurocrine Clinical Site | Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder | 6 |
| VA San Diego Healthcare System | Anxiety Sensitivity, C. Diff Infection, C.Difficile Diarrhea | 6 |
Active & Upcoming Studies in San Diego (2026)
Recruiting trials in San Diego grouped by therapeutic area, drawn from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each bucket shows the most recent example studies.
Cancer & tumors (165 active studies)
- Collaborative Research: Multiscale Modeling and Intervention for Improving Long-Term Medication · San Diego State University
- Impact of Fluciclovine (18F) PET (Positron Emission Tomography) on the Management of Prostate Cancer Following Negative or Equivocal PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen) PET Imaging at the Time of Biochemical Recurrence · Phase 4 · Blue Earth Diagnostics
Mental health & behavior (51 active studies)
- Neuronavigated aiTBS for TRD · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Engaging Family Members During Early SUD Treatment: A Hybrid Trial · Stanford University
Neurology & pain (49 active studies)
- Durability of Yoga for Veterans With Low Back Pain · VA Office of Research and Development
- A Study of Donanemab (LY3002813) in Participants Who Completed Study AACM (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 3-EXT). · Phase 3 · Eli Lilly and Company
Diabetes & metabolic (43 active studies)
- A Research Study to Compare Two Different Versions of Injectable CagriSema in People With Type 2 Diabetes · Phase 2 · Novo Nordisk A/S
- Safety and Efficacy of NA-931 and Tirzepatide in Adults Who Are Overweight or Obese · Phase 2 · Biomed Industries, Inc.
Cardiovascular (40 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
- Occlutech AFR Fontan Study · Occlutech International AB
Pediatric (22 active studies)
- Pressure Targeting During High Flow Therapy in Premature Infants · Phase 2 · University of Texas at Austin
- Supraglottic Airway for Resuscitation Trial · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
HIV / STI (16 active studies)
- A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Antiviral Activity of Two Human Monoclonal Antibodies (VRC07-523LS and PGT121.414.LS) During Analytic Treatment Interruption in Participants Living With HIV Who Initiated ART During Acute/Early HIV-1 Infection · Phase 1 · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- Pramipexole Versus Escitalopram to Treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Comorbid MDD With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) in Persons With HIV · Phase 2 · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Vaccines (10 active studies)
- A Study on the Safety and Immune Response of Investigational mRNA Seasonal Flu/COVID-19 Combination Vaccine in Adults · Phase 1 · GlaxoSmithKline
- Study of VYD2311 for the Prevention of COVID-19 · Phase 3 · Invivyd, Inc.
Eye & vision (2 active studies)
- Study of VOY-101 in Patients With Advanced Non-Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration · Phase 1, Phase 2 · Perceive Biotherapeutics, Inc.
- The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Common conditions studied in San Diego
- Heart Failure (15 active studies). Heart failure trials explore SGLT-2 inhibitors, novel myosin modulators, and device-based therapies for both reduced and preserved ejection fraction.
- Depression (12 active studies). Depression studies test rapid-acting antidepressants including ketamine derivatives, psilocybin-assisted therapy, and neuromodulation approaches.
- Major Depressive Disorder (12 active studies). Major depressive disorder research examines rapid-acting agents, augmentation strategies, and digital therapeutics for treatment-resistant cases.
- Obesity (12 active studies). Obesity trials evaluate GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, novel metabolic drugs, and combined lifestyle interventions for sustainable weight loss.
- Schizophrenia (10 active studies). Schizophrenia research tests muscarinic agonists, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, and cognitive remediation therapies.
- Breast Cancer (9 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
Leading research sponsors in San Diego
- University of California, San Diego
- San Diego State University
- VA Office of Research and Development
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- AstraZeneca
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 San Diego. 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 San Diego
Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in San Diego 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 San Diego?
There are approximately 807 recruiting clinical trials in San Diego, California listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The number changes weekly as new studies open and others close enrollment.
Do clinical trials in San Diego pay participants?
Most recruiting trials in San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego?
The most common conditions under active study in San Diego include Heart Failure (15), Depression (12), Major Depressive Disorder (12), Obesity (12), among many others. Browse the list above to explore every recruiting trial.
Are there clinical trials for healthy volunteers in San Diego?
Yes. Healthy-volunteer studies — often early-phase pharmacology or vaccine trials — recruit in San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego?
Recruiting research sites in San Diego include University of California San Diego, University of California, San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, 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 San Diego right now?
The largest active categories in San Diego are Cancer & tumors (165), Mental health & behavior (51), Neurology & pain (49). Use the filters above to narrow by therapeutic area, phase, age, or healthy-volunteer eligibility.