Contents
- 1 Paid Clinical Trials in Tennessee
- 2 Demographic Data Helps Reveal Trial Availability in Tennessee
- 3 Interpreting Tennessee Demographic Data to Find Paid Trials
- 4 Tennessee CROs With Opportunities for Healthy Participants
- 5 Notable Medical Trends in Tennessee
- 6 Tennessee Paid Clinical Trial FAQs
- 7 Tennessee CRO Trial Opportunities are There For Healthy Volunteers
Paid Clinical Trials in Tennessee
As of July 2026, 1,963 studies are actively recruiting volunteers in Tennessee, according to ClinicalTrials.gov. Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville runs the state’s largest program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital makes Memphis a global center for pediatric research, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute gives Nashville one of the country’s biggest industry-run oncology trial networks.
If you’re trying to find paid clinical trials for healthy volunteers nearby, odds are, you can find them closer than you may have realized in Tennessee. Clinical Research Organizations, or CROs, commonly conduct studies which require volunteers. In Tennessee, there are at least 124 organizations conducting such research presently, and likely more to come.
That may not initially sound like a lot, but each individual organization will conduct experiments requiring multiple participants. Experts estimate 1 in 200, (approximately half of one percent) of the population needs to be involved in such studies at all times to advance the science. While experimentation won’t necessarily follow that statistical distribution nationwide, where there are larger populations, it’s more likely such averages will apply.
In fact, probably more opportunities will exist in larger, more historical locations. Whatever the case, assuming a 1 in 200 distribution of paid volunteer opportunities for healthy participants, Tennessee’s approximately 7,023,788 population indicates something in the neighborhood of 35,118 options statewide; or 283 individual opportunities per study. To narrow things down further, we’ll need to look into demographic data.
Quick Facts: Paid Clinical Trials in Tennessee
- Actively recruiting studies (July 2026): 1,963 (ClinicalTrials.gov)
- Typical compensation: $50–$100 per completed outpatient visit; residential Phase 1 studies pay more (see highest paid clinical trials)
- Cost to participate: $0 — study care and visits are covered by the sponsor
- Worth knowing: St. Jude in Memphis never bills families for treatment, travel, housing, or food during childhood cancer research
What’s being studied in Tennessee right now
We sampled recruiting Tennessee studies on ClinicalTrials.gov in July 2026. The most active sites and most-studied conditions:
| Most active research sites | Most-studied conditions |
|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (224 listings) | Breast cancer |
| Sarah Cannon Research Institute / SCRI Oncology, Nashville (96) | Advanced solid tumors |
| St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis (57) | Endometrial cancer |
| Regional systems in Knoxville and Chattanooga | Colorectal cancer |
Nashville is one of the few US cities where a commercial research network (Sarah Cannon, part of HCA) rivals the academic center in trial volume, which means more industry-sponsored studies recruiting here than in most states.
Demographic Data Helps Reveal Trial Availability in Tennessee
In Tennessee, 76.73% of the total population is white, 16.67% is black or of African descent, and only 2.94% of the population have two or more races in their ethnic background. 51.21% of the population is female, 48.79% are male. The median age is 38.8 years. So paid clinical trials nearby for healthy volunteers will likely trail this data.
Interpreting Tennessee Demographic Data to Find Paid Trials
Definitely, expect there to be niche paid clinical trials for healthy volunteers in Tennessee. Primarily, though, options will be aimed at adults in their late thirties, with an emphasis on female participants. For many studies, there will be a need for participants who are as categorically different as possible, so keep that in mind as well.
Tennessee CROs With Opportunities for Healthy Participants
To help you find options in healthy volunteer paid clinical trials, a good starting point is researching statewide CROs. You’ve got options throughout Tennessee. Here are several to consider from different regions:
- Eastman Chemical in the Northeast
- Radiant Research in Central Tennessee
- Unique Medical Centers in the Southwest
Notable Medical Trends in Tennessee
One of the great advantages of participating in paid clinical research trials for healthy volunteers is advancing medicine, which in turn makes you part of history. As the health industry continues to blossom in Tennessee, there have been changes not only to the business climate, but at the government level as well. You could be involved in advances such as these:
- RSV Vaccine Breakthroughs and Ingestible Therapeutic Treatment Options
- Diverse Opportunities in Nashville, the National Health Services Capital
- Multiple Startups in the Health Technology Industry
Tennessee Paid Clinical Trial FAQs
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How much do paid clinical trials pay in Tennessee?
Most outpatient studies in Tennessee pay $50–$100 per completed visit, plus travel reimbursement. The exact amount appears in the consent form before you enroll.
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Where are most clinical trials in Tennessee?
Nashville leads with Vanderbilt and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Memphis follows with St. Jude and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Knoxville has options through the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
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What makes St. Jude different from other research hospitals?
St. Jude treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases at no cost to families. Treatment, travel, housing, and food are all covered, and most of its patients take part in research. Families are never asked to pay for participation.
Tennessee CRO Trial Opportunities are There For Healthy Volunteers
Tennessee is becoming established in a new area of American culture: the healthcare industry. Not only are there lots of opportunities for individuals seeking additional income, and a role in history as it’s made, but it’s to be expected these trends will continue. Nashville is one of America’s most popular cities right now, and there are some amazing trends in Tennessee overall. So if you’ve never participated in a clinical study, and you are in Tennessee, you might as well see if there are any trials going on in your area, such as Knoxville.