Participate in a Study

Children

Kids ages 5-8 needed for a study of indoor air quality!

We are looking for kids ages 5-8 (one per household) and a parent/guardian for a study related to indoor air quality. As part of the study, we’ll provide families with a portable air cleaner and measure indoor air quality over the course of 15 months. Participants will receive up to $125 in Amazon e-codes plus the portable air cleaner. To learn more, please complete this interest form: https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=9FHWEPHTKRTR7MKY.

Study on children’s movement and brain health

The PLAY Lab is looking for children starting kindergarten or first grade in fall 2026 to participate in a year-long study. Participation involves attending five laboratory sessions over one year and completing some motor tasks and cognitive tasks some while various brain responses are recorded. Up to $100 in compensation. PLAY LAB – Department of Kinesiology and Health, Freer Hall | play-lab@illinois.edu | INTEREST FORM LINK: https://redcap.link/etpkp1kg.

Women

Maternal Mindfulness to prevent depression and reduce postpartum pain

We are seeking women with a planned cesarean delivery to participate in a mindfulness-based intervention study. Eligible participants will be invited to join the program and complete surveys about their experiences. Those who complete the intervention can receive up to $195 in gift cards as a thank you for their participation. For more information, please contact us at mamidappstudy@illinois.edu or call 217-244-9363.

Stress, Emotions, and Pain in the Postpartum Period Interview (SEPPPI)

Did you give birth in the past 12 months? Have you currently or previously experienced stress, sadness, low mood, other sad emotions, and pain since childbirth? We are conducting individual phone interviews for women (aged 18-45) to learn how emotions and pain are experienced by women postpartum. Contact us today at 217-244-9363 or sepppi-study@illinois.edu. Participants will be paid.

Adults

Hearing test study

We are conducting a research study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to learn how consumer technology compares to standard hearing tests. We are looking for adults age 35 and older to participate.

Participation involves:

A single study visit lasting about 30 minutes
A brief hearing check using both standard audiology equipment and a smartphone app with wireless earbuds
A short questionnaire about your hearing health and your experience with the tests

This study is for research purposes only. It will not provide a clinical diagnosis, but if results suggest possible hearing difficulty you will be referred to a local audiology clinic for follow-up. If you are interested, please contact Lauren Stec at lgstec2@illinois.edu for more information.

Seeking Freshmen for a Health Study!

Generation Well is recruiting first-year U. of I. students to participate in a long-term health and wellness study. Participants will complete annual assessments of body composition, fitness, brain function, sleep, nutrition, and overall health, with opportunities to receive select personal results. Participants can earn up to $60 per year. Help us better understand how health changes during college years and contribute to research that benefits future students. To learn more and determine eligibility, contact generationwell@illinois.edu or visit https://generationwell.web.illinois.edu.

Looking for a flexible way to contribute to wellness research this winter?

Interested in taking an active role in wellness research this winter? U. of I. researchers seek adults ages 35–64 years old for HEATWAVES, a 10-week study of outdoor walking, warm-water bathing, or both. Most activities are completed from home with flexible scheduling, video-based guidance, and brief surveys. Two lab visits are required at Freer Hall in Urbana. Participants receive a free Fitbit ($100 value). Now enrolling! Learn more by clicking here or calling 217-300-7484.

Get a free indoor air quality assessment on your home

Learn more about your home’s indoor air quality and ways to improve it. Community-Academic Scholars program mentor Sheena Martenies, a professor of health and kinesiology, and the Champaign Co. Regional Planning Commission’s Indoor Climate Research and Training Division are evaluating a platform that senses indoor air quality problems in your home and offers actionable guidance to address these problems. Home wi-fi is required and there is no cost to participate. Participants receive $25 gift cards after the second and third visits. View the research flyer | Sign up to participate.

Seeking Participants 18-30 years old; Non-Smokers

The Vascular Physiology Laboratory is looking for participants (ages 18-30 years old) to partake in a study looking at heart health. Participation in this study involves one 2-hour visit. Contact Vascular Physiology Laboratory at vpresearch@illinois.edu for more information.

Do you struggle to hear in noisy situations like restaurants or parties?

Healthy adults ages 18–40 who have normal hearing but struggle to hear in noisy situations are invited to participate in a research study about hearing (IRB23-0081). Additional eligibility criteria apply. There is a 5-minute online survey to see if you qualify. Those who qualify may participate in up to three lab visits (2–3 hours each). Visits involve a hearing screening, listening tasks, and non-invasive ear and brain measurements. Participants who complete lab visits receive $15 per hour (cash), free parking, and mileage reimbursement. See if you qualify by completing our survey.

Want to participate in a research study?

We are conducting a research study to understand the perceptions and factors that influence resistance training across the lifespan among Latina women. You must be 18 or older to participate. Individuals will engage in a one-time interview on Zoom where you will answer questions related to your perceptions of resistance training. If you’re interested in learning more or participating, please fill out the link above or contact: aguinagalab@gmail.com 

Nutrition Research Study — Participants Needed (Ages 19–59)

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is looking for participants to partake in a 2-day study to establish the utility of the indicator amino acid oxidation method in adults. Participation in this study involves 2-day habituation lead in with all meals provided, muscle biopsies, and blood, breath, and urine sampling during two all-day trials. Upon completion, you will receive $150 and information about your body composition and caloric needs. Contact Gena (NEPRESEARCH@illinois.edu) for more information! Male participants are strongly encouraged! 

Young adults (18-30 years old) needed for EEG study

Participants needed for research study on effects of aging on brain activity and behavioral performance. Participants must be 18-30 years old, native English speakers, right-handed, have at least a high school education (or equivalent), and no significant memory issues. Participants will be compensated. For more information, please contact the Aging and Neurocognition Lab    atAANCL-Lab@illinois.edu or 217-265-6574.

Adults with bothersome tinnitus needed for a novel MRI-based intervention

Adults with constant, chronic, and bothersome tinnitus (“ringing in the ears”) between the ages of 18-70 years are needed for a multi-visit research study that seeks to develop and validate new methods for coping with tinnitus. The study uses brain wave recording to guide individuals in regulating their brain activity. Two hearing tests and 10 MRI scans will be conducted (five MRI scans, followed by an 8-week gap, and another set of five MRI scans). Individuals will be paid for their participation and reimbursed for parking.  Email tinnitus@illinois.edu or call 217-333-7561.

Older Adults

SavvySeeSaw™: Artificial Intelligence-enabled Tool for Your Brain Health

The Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Lab invites older individuals to take part in a study for brain health monitoring. You can expect the following activities: 1.) Testing a brain health monitoring mobile app; 2.) Regular 10-minute self-assessments via the app; 3.) Doing simple activities with the app (e.g., taking a selfie, describing a picture). If you are 65+ years of age, speak English, and have a smartphone with reliable internet, welcome to the study! Please sign up here. Your participation will be compensated.

Leisure Wise to Age Well Study

We are looking for older adults 65 years old and older to share how leisure activities contribute to their health and well-being. We also need their input on the features of an online program and/or app that would best support the leisure activities they feel are healthiest for them. There are eight sessions that last 60 to 90 minutes, $100 compensation after completion of all study components, and four drawings to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. To learn more and/or to participate, please contact Wenzhe Zheng at wenzhez3@illinois.edu.

Looking for study participants 

We are seeking research participants for a study about the interaction between social robots and older adults. Participants must be 60 or older, speak and read English fluently, have normal or corrected vision and hearing, and have potential cognitive impairment. For more info, please contact the research team at AANCL-Lab@illinois.edu or call 217-265-6574.

Help Us Make Online Health Information More Accessible and Age-Friendly

The ADAPT Lab is seeking adults aged 65 and older to share their experiences searching for health information online. Your perspectives can help us design more accessible and age-friendly health information tools. The study includes an online survey (up to 30 minutes) and an in-person research session (up to two hours). Participants will receive $40 in appreciation for their time and contribution. Interested? Contact us to learn more or schedule a brief phone screening. Sign up here or email hk-adaptlab@illinois.edu.

Showerhead Usability Study for Adults Aging with Mobility Limitation

Researchers from the Department of Health and Kinesiology are recruiting adults aged 50+ for a 2-hour in-person usability study to better understand showering needs of aging adults with mobility limitations and seeking feedback on an innovative showerhead design. Inclusion criteria: Ages 50 years or older, identify as individuals who prefer to shower in a seated position due to mobility or balance concerns, and do not have upper extremity pain or diagnosis of cognitive impairment (for example: MCI, Alzheimer’s). Please click on the link to submit the survey if you are eligible and interested.

Adults with bothersome tinnitus needed for a novel MRI intervention

Adults with constant, chronic, and bothersome tinnitus (“ringing in the ears”) between the ages of 18-65years are needed for a multi-visit research study that seeks to develop and validate new methods for coping with tinnitus. The study uses brain wave recording to guide individuals in regulating their brain activity. Two hearing tests and 3-5 MRI scans will be conducted. Individuals will be paid for their participation and reimbursed for parking.  Email tinnitus@illinois.edu or call 217-333-7561.

Nutrition Research Study – Participants Needed! (Age 50+)

The Aging, Caregiving, and Technology lab is conducting a study to test how well a structured, evidence-based 14-week Healthy Eating Every Day (HEED) Program works for adults age 50+. HEED teaches adults how to improve their eating habits in ways that fit their lifestyle. Participants complete an initial set of surveys and measurements (e.g., height), attend 14 weekly 30-45 minute Zoom sessions on healthy eating, and repeat measurements and surveys after the program. Participants can earn up to $90 for completing the study. If you are interested, please email heedstudy@illinois.edu.

Non-recreationally active participants (age 65+) for exercise research

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is seeking participants to participate in a 12-week exercise intervention study to investigate the effects of exercise on dietary protein in adults with type 2 diabetes. Participation in this study involves sampling blood, breath, and urine during two all-day trials. 12 weeks (2-3 times per week) of progressive resistance and aerobic training and periodic diet recalls. Upon completion, you will receive $1,000, information about your body composition, and caloric needs. Contact for more details.

Particiants needed for a Medicare study

Participants needed for a study to understand how people navigate Medicare. To be eligible, must be ages 65 and older and be able to meet in person for an interview. Participants will be compensated for their time with an Amazon e-code. If interested, please contact CREATE-P3@illinois.edu or call 217-244-3688.

Virtual Reality to Support Engagement Opportunities – Usability Study

Researchers from the Human Factors and Aging Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are recruiting older adults (65 years or older) to examine usability and acceptance of virtual reality applications and their efficacy with older adults. Participant should be able to drive to campus (we provide easy parking). Duration: Three hours. Compensation: $60. Email: CREATE-VR@illinois.edu. 

Recruiting Latinos 50+ For Brain Health Research Study!

Help us understand how language, nutrition and physical activity affect our memory! We are looking for Latino/Hispanic adults ages 50+ to participate in a one-time research appointment. Participation is free, and you’ll receive $10! Please write your name, phone number and preferred time to talk in the linked interest form. The study includes: 1.) One phone call to screen for eligibility (10 minutes);  2.) One appointment (1.5 hours) where you will answer questions about your lifestyle and health; 3.) Wear an activity monitor for one week after the appointment. Conducted in Spanish or English.

Older adults (50-85 years old) needed for research study

Participants needed for research study on effects of aging on brain activity and behavioral performance. Participants must be native English speakers, right-handed, have at least a high school education (or equivalent) and no significant memory issues. Participants will be compensated. For more information, please contact the Aging and NeuroCognition Lab (AANCL) at AANCL-Lab@illinois.edu or 217-265-6574.

bpMedManage Study – Using Smartphone to Support Medication Taking

Do you have occasional slips in memory? If you or anyone you know is 60+ years old, takes prescribed medication for high blood pressure, has mild problems with memory and uses smartphones, then you are eligible for this study that supports medication taking using smartphones. Compensation provided for participation. For more information, please contact us at 217-244-7383 or medmanage@illinois.edu. 

Seeking South Asian Caregivers (60 years and older) for study

The Aging, Caregiving and Technology lab is recruiting participants to develop a social engagement intervention for older (age 60+) South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) caregivers of older relatives with dementia, cancer or stroke. Participation involves a short 10-minute survey over Zoom with a member of our study team followed by a 1.5- to 2-hour focus group discussion with 3-4 other South Asian caregivers across the U.S. via Zoom. You may be eligible for up to a $50 compensation as an Amazon gift card after completing the sessions. To participate, email hk-actlab@illinois.edu.