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Opportunities to Participate in Research Studies
Opportunities to Participate in Research Studies
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The University of Maryland researchers offer opportunities to the campus and the surrounding community to participate in research studies. These opportunities are posted regularly below. Please click on each opportunity to see a full description of the opportunity, eligibility requirements, and contact information and instructions on how to apply to participate. If you are a UMD staff member or faculty researcher and wish to post an opportunity to participate in a research study on this webpage, please complete this form.
Current and Recent Opportunities:
Vascular Health in Middle-Aged Women Using Hormonal Birth Control Methods (Posted February 2026)
Research Study Description:
This research study is examining the effects of hormonal birth control on vascular health in middle-aged women. The study includes two visits and one 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
Eligibility:
Were assigned female at birth, Are between the ages of 35-55 years old, Are either not on hormonal birth control method or are currently on a hormonal birth control method (hormonal intrauterine device/IUD or oral contraceptive (pill) only). If not currently on hormonal birth control, have had a menstrual period within the past 12 months
Compensation for Participants:
Up to $85
Timing:
Seeking participants through May 31, 2026
Contact for More Information:
The Human Integrative Physiology Lab:
Email hipl.research@umd.edu or call 301-405-4538
Healthy Brain and Child Development Study (Posted April 15, 2025)
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is the largest, long-term study of early brain and child development in the United States. This ambitious project, funded through a partnership of a dozen Institutes, Centers, and Offices of the National Institutes of Health, will enroll over 7,000 participating families from across the United States and follow them from pregnancy through early childhood.
UMD HBCD StudyThe HBCD Study will enroll participating families from across the U.S. and follow them and their children through early childhood. The researchers want to better understand how a child’s brain develops and how experiences during pregnancy and early childhood shape that development.
Researchers will collect information during pregnancy and through early childhood, including:
- Pictures of the brain
- Growth measurements
- Samples of blood and saliva (biosamples)
- Medical and family history surveys
- Information about their social, emotional, and cognitive development
Q: Who can participate?
We are enrolling participants starting in their 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
All participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Q: What about costs and compensation?
All study activities are free of charge.
You will be compensated for the time spent participating in the study. Up to $1,775 in the first five years.
Q: What about transportation?
Transportation will be provided if needed.
Q: Will personal information be protected?
All identifying information from or about you will be kept private and confidential, as required by law. Your family’s information and samples will be stored without personally identifiable information, along with that of others in the study. Researchers will learn from your contributions for many years.
Contact us at:
Call: 301-405-5210
Text: 240-241-0136
Email: HBCD@umd.edu
For more information, please visit:
HBCDStudy.org
UMD Nap Study (Posted April 15, 2025)
This is a longitudinal study investigating sleep, memory, and brain development in children aged 3-5. The study consists of 3 visits each spaced one week apart (repeated at 6- and 12-month time points). The first two visits occur in the home, where your child would play memory gamesUMD Nap Studybefore and after their nap and overnight sleep. Their sleep is recorded with small recording sensors (polysomnography). During one home visit, they will be kept awake from their nap. The third visit is a visit to the Maryland Neuroimaging Center for an MRI, this visit consists of time spent practicing for the MRI followed by the actual MRI and some additional memory games. For each wave of participation, you will receive $255 (plus transportation costs) for a total of $765 if you complete all three waves. Your child will also receive a small gift at each visit.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Aged 36-66 months
- Naps regularly (5+ days per week)
- No past or present diagnosis of a sleep disorder
- No diagnosis of developmental disability
- No history of neurological injury
- Meets criteria for MRI/EEG experiments
Language Requirements:
English must be spoken >50% of the time
Compensation for Participants:
$255/wave ($765 total)
Date(s) Participants Are Needed:
Present - December 2026
Instructions on Who to Contact for More Information on How to Participate in the Study:
SONA Opportunities
Researchers often offer paid research opportunities through UMD's SONA System. Participants can sign up for these studies through the SONA system.
Opportunities to Participate in Research Studies for Athletes
Campus and select external researchers offer opportunities to the campus athletic community (e.g. recreational, intramural, club, varsity) to participate in research studies. These opportunities are posted regularly below. Please click on each to see a full description of the opportunity, eligibility requirements, contact information, and instructions on how to apply to participate. These are completely voluntary. If you are a University of Maryland staff member, faculty researcher, or researcher from another University, and wish to post an opportunity to participate in a research study on this webpage, please complete this form.
Research Study on the Knowledge & Awareness of the Effects of Sport and Energy Drinks on the Oral Health of Athletes (April 2024)
In collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, this is an educational survey-based study interested in determining whether a health education presentation can increase an athletes’ knowledge, attitudes and healthy behaviors regarding the detrimental effects of sport and energy drinks.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible to participate, (1) you must be above 18 years of age. (2) Current collegiate athlete at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Eligible participants will fill out an online pre-survey questionnaire using Qualtrics with a series of questions asking about current behavior practices, knowledge and attitudes regarding sport and energy drink consumption (~5 minutes or less). Participants will then watch a recorded video (~15 minutes) of an educational presentation that consist of the following topics:
- Purpose of Sport and Energy Drinks
- Ingredients within Sport and Energy Drinks
- How Sport and Energy Drinks Affect the Overall and Oral Health
- Oral Hygiene and Dietary Recommendations
Following the presentation, participants will fill out an online post-survey questionnaire using Qualtrics with similar questions to the pre-survey questionnaire (~5 minutes or less). Participation is voluntary and anonymous. If you are ELIGIBLE, are INTERESTED in participating in this study, or have QUESTIONS, please contact me using the information below!
Links:
Pre-presentation survey
Presentation video
Post-presentation survey
For more information, contact:
Vanessa Ngo, Senior Dental Hygiene Student
Email - Vngo@umaryland.edu
Phone number – (301) 385-7038