How Clinical Trials Work in Charlotte: Pay, Safety & What to Expect
A plain-English guide to finding trials, getting paid, and knowing exactly what happens — before you ever pick up the phone.
First, why are you here?
Two very different people land on this page. Be honest about which one you are — it changes what matters most as you read.
“I want to see if research can help my condition”
You’re looking for treatment options, close monitoring from a medical team, and access to tomorrow’s medicine today. Everything below is written for you — the pay, the safety, and exactly how the process works. Take your time with it.
“I’m mainly interested in the compensation”
Fair. Trials do pay, and we’ll be straight with you about how much. But research isn’t plasma donation — these are doctor’s offices choosing committed patients, and how you show up decides whether you’re chosen. Read the whole thing before you call.
Jump to how payment works →How payment actually works
You’re compensated for your time and travel — not for taking a drug. Amounts vary widely by study, and you’re paid per visit or at milestones, never as a lump sum at the end.
A few visits over a few weeks.
Monthly visits over a year or more.
Overnight or multi-day stays at the office.
As a rule of thumb, most Phase 2–3 studies pay around $100–$200 per visit — and factors like a long drive can push that higher. Phase 1 trials are usually inpatient with a much larger time commitment, which is why they run $5,000–$10,000 in total.
One catch: the prescreen visit is typically unpaid, and compensation should never be the only reason you enroll. The right study for the right patient is what makes research work — and it’s also what keeps you welcome for future studies.
Is this safe?
Clinical trials in the U.S. are heavily regulated. Every study is approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) — an independent committee whose only job is to protect the people in the study. Before you agree to anything, you’ll get a written document explaining the risks in plain terms, and you can ask questions at any point. You can also walk away at any time, for any reason.
That said, every medical treatment carries some risk. Earlier-stage studies test newer treatments and come with more uncertainty than later-stage ones. A doctor’s office running a legitimate study will never ask you to pay to take part, and the study should be registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
The path from “interested” to “enrolled”
Every study is a little different, but the road in looks the same. Here’s the honest version — including the parts most doctor’s offices won’t spell out.
Find who to call
Research runs at dozens of doctor’s offices across Charlotte. A generic “clinical trials near me” search hands you a list of offices but rarely tells you the actual study or treatment they’re running. ClinicalTrials.gov has everything, but it’s bulky and hard to work through. That’s why Tether exists: we put every Carolinas study and condition in one place. Fill out a short eligibility questionnaire on a trial you’re interested in and we confirm your eligibility before you ever contact the office — so when we hand you their information, you already know you meet their thresholds. Browse trials by condition →
First contact & scheduling the prescreen
You call the office. Usually a receptionist asks a few quick questions — much like the eligibility quiz — then schedules a prescreen: a longer 30- to 45-minute conversation, often in person, sometimes by phone. You’ll likely fill out a medical release form, because offices commonly need your records before you can start a study.
The prescreen is a test
This visit usually isn’t paid, and transportation isn’t provided — even though it’s required. That’s on purpose. Showing up to an unpaid appointment quietly filters out the people who’d no-show once the study starts. If skipping an unpaid visit sounds like you, you’re probably not a strong research candidate — and that’s okay.
Conduct matters just as much. These offices don’t need your participation. Pushing about money, or any disrespect toward the staff, gets noted and moves you down the list. You can ask “how much does it pay?” once, then leave it there.
Be reliable — no-shows follow you
If you book a prescreen and don’t show, the office can exclude you from every future study there — and most won’t warn you first. A good candidate calls to reschedule or cancel the moment something comes up; the team spends real time preparing for your appointment. If compensation matters to you, remember this is where it adds up: more than one trial over time. Don’t burn the relationship on the first go.
Inside the prescreen visit
You check in, sign a patient-profile cover sheet, and complete medical release forms, then meet a coordinator, nurse, or research doctor in a quiet room. They’ll ask your birthday, height and weight, and relevant medical history. Bring your ID and a list of any medications you take. The biggest early disqualifiers are a substance-use history (studies drug test) and unstable housing (most studies require it). Many trials also screen for related conditions, so be open and honest — your records aren’t the whole story, and this is your chance to explain anything. Nothing clinical happens at this visit; it’s just a conversation.
Even if you don’t qualify, you’re now in that office’s system and usually won’t need to prescreen there again for a couple of years. They’ll reach out when a study fits. It’s not a wasted visit.
Informed consent, then the screening visit
Qualify and you’ll get an informed consent packet with everything about the study. Take it home to review, and never sign under a 10-minute deadline. Ask the office to email you a PDF so your primary care doctor or specialists can weigh in. The team will walk you through what to consider: any medications you’d stop, the placebo odds, whether it’s open-label, the time commitment, any restrictions (like driving), whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, and the study phase.
The screening visit is the first appointment with actual clinical procedures — all of it spelled out in that consent document, which you’ll sign first. Roughly one in three people who screen end up qualifying, so it’s completely normal not to. From there, the consent lays out your treatment period and follow-up, and the team walks you through exactly what enrolling looks like for you.
Doctor’s offices running trials in Charlotte
These are the major offices running trials across the Charlotte area. To see what any of them are actively enrolling — and to check your eligibility first — browse trials by condition.
New Hope Clinical Research
Focus: Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other CNS/mental-health conditions.
Doctors: Dr. Kurian Abraham, Dr. David Patton.
A Phase I–IV office with a clean FDA audit; Dr. Abraham has 16+ years of trial experience and contributed to trials for every currently approved Alzheimer’s medication.
PMG Research of Charlotte
Focus: Diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, asthma, COPD, allergies, gastroenterology, dermatology, vaccines, rheumatology.
Doctor: Dr. George Raad.
Operating since 1998; part of the Accellacare/ICON network, partnering with 20+ physicians across 13 locations in the metro area.
Flourish Research — Charlotte
Focus: Neuroscience, infectious disease, cardiovascular, metabolic conditions.
Part of a national research network with 5,500+ completed trials and 100,000+ patients enrolled.
Queen City Clinical Research
Focus: Chronic pain, medical devices, spinal cord stimulation.
Doctors: Dr. Leonardo Kapural, Dr. Christopher Gilmore.
Launched April 2024; one of the largest chronic-pain research offices in the U.S. Dr. Kapural has published 200+ journal articles.
Accellacare
Focus: Migraines, multiple sclerosis, vaccines, autoimmune/thyroid conditions, healthy-volunteer studies.
A global network (part of ICON plc) with 275+ physicians; offers in-home trial visits for some studies.
Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas
Focus: Acne, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, skin aging, cosmetic dermatology.
A dedicated dermatology research department with a team available 24/7 during participation. Compensation for time and travel; no insurance required. (704) 973-3606.
Atrium Health
Focus: Cancer (via Levine Cancer Institute), cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, surgery, emergency medicine.
A major academic health system running Phase I–IV research, including NIH- and CDC-funded studies on a national and global scale.
Novant Health
Focus: Various therapeutic areas across the health system.
A large regional health system with research locations across North Carolina, including Charlotte, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem.
Frequently asked questions
What is an informed consent document?
It’s the written document that explains the entire study: the procedures, the schedule, the risks, the compensation, and your rights — all in plain terms. You review and sign it before any clinical procedures happen, and you can take it home first. Signing it is not a commitment to finish the study; you can still withdraw at any time.
What is a placebo group, and will I get the real medication?
A placebo is an inactive treatment used to compare against the study drug. Many studies randomly assign some patients to placebo, so you may not receive the active drug. The informed consent document explains the odds. Not every study uses one — see “open-label” below.
What does “open-label” mean?
In an open-label study, everyone knows they’re receiving the active treatment. There’s no placebo, and nothing is hidden from you or the study team. The informed consent will tell you whether a study is open-label or blinded.
What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient studies?
Outpatient studies mean you come in for visits and go home the same day — the most common format. Inpatient studies require you to stay at the office, sometimes overnight or for several days, so the team can monitor you closely. Inpatient studies usually pay more because of the larger time commitment.
What do the study “phases” mean?
Phases describe how far along a treatment is in testing. Phase 1 tests safety in a small group and carries the most uncertainty. Phase 2 looks at whether it works while continuing to check safety. Phase 3 compares it against standard treatment in large groups. Phase 4 studies a treatment that’s already approved and on the market. Earlier phases test newer treatments; later phases are more established.
How do I know if a study is legitimate?
A legitimate study will never ask you to pay to take part. It should be registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and the team should give you a written informed consent document explaining the study, the risks, and your rights. If something feels off — high-pressure tactics, requests for payment, or vague answers — walk away.
Do I need health insurance to participate?
No. Trials provide study-related care and medication at no cost to you, regardless of insurance status. Many people without insurance take part specifically because it gives them access to care they might not otherwise afford.
Can I quit a study if I change my mind?
Yes. You can withdraw from any trial at any time, for any reason, without penalty — it’s your legal right. That said, enrolling only when you’re genuinely committed is what makes the research meaningful, so it’s worth being sure before you start.
How long do clinical trials last?
It depends on the study. Some last a few weeks with two or three visits. Others run 12 to 18 months with monthly check-ins. The team gives you a full schedule before you commit, and it’s spelled out in the informed consent.
Can I be in more than one study at a time?
Generally no. Most studies require a “washout period” between trials. If you’re currently in a study, be upfront about it with any new office you contact.
See what you qualify for
Browse trials by condition, fill out the eligibility form on the ones you’re interested in, and we’ll confirm your eligibility before you ever call an office.
We’re not a doctor’s office and we’re not here to enroll you. We’re just here to help you understand your options.