Joan M. McDowd, PhD, Director
Phone: 913-588-0646
What is the Grayhawk Research Volunteer Program (GRVP)?
Since 1994, the Grayhawk Research Volunteer Program has provided an opportunity for healthy volunteers to participate in research studies (sometimes called protocols or trials). Healthy volunteers provide researchers with important information about normal aging, and also provide information for comparison with people who have specific illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke.
What are the benefits of volunteering to take part in clinical research?
Healthy volunteers who take part in research studies through the Grayhawk Research Volunteer Program may:
Receive a physical exam (in some studies)
Receive compensation for taking part in a study
Further medical and scientific knowledge
Have the satisfaction of helping someone suffering from a chronic, serious, or life-threatening illness
Provide important scientific information for developing new therapies
Generally, yes. Researchers typically provide a small honorarium to compensate volunteers for their time and travel. The honorarium amount depends on the length and nature of the study.
To be compensated, you must be willing to provide your social security number. It is possible to participate without compensation if you prefer not to give your social security number. The KUMC Research Institute reports compensation of $600 or more to the Internal Revenue Service and sends a "Form 1099-Other Income" to the volunteer at the end of the year.
What kinds of studies are available?
The Grayhawk Research Volunteer Program supports a variety of types of studies. Some assess cognitive or mental abilities such as attention, language, decision-making, and memory. Other studies focus on walking gait, balance, strength in arms and legs, or speed of behavior. Occasionally there may be opportunities to participate in more medically-oriented research, such as studies of new therapies, drugs, or devices.
Studies vary in length of time, location, age, gender, special requirements, medical exclusions, and procedures.
Information about research studies currently underway can be viewed on our “current studies” page.
Research staff will explain any risks, requirements, restrictions, or possible side effects before you agree to take part in any study. It is wise and important that you ask them any questions or voice any concerns before you make a decision about taking part. .
How are studies approved for volunteer participation?
Before a study is approved for volunteer participation, physicians, scientists, and lay people who make up KUMC’s Human Subjects Committee rigorously screen all studies for safety, ethics, and need. These reviews and approvals must take place before any volunteer is invited to participate in a research study.
Before agreeing to participate in any study, the investigator will give you a consent form that explains the study in detail and in everyday, non-medical language. By signing this form, you indicate that you understand the study and volunteer to participate. As a volunteer, you are free to withdraw from, interrupt, or refuse to take part in a study at any time.
We maintain a registry of individuals who have indicated an interest in research, and we contact these individuals when studies are available for which they qualify. Being part of the registry does not commit you to participation; you can decide whether or not to participate once the details of the study are explained to you.
If you’d like to be part of the Grayhawk Research Volunteer Program registry, please call Joan McDowd, GRVP Director, at 913-588-0646.
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