The Idea:
You can make money just by being yourself. Scientists pay for everything from tissue samples to your time as a volunteer.
How it Works:
First, try contacting local universities, hospitals or pharmaceutical companies to find out more about research projects that might need volunteers. Most places that pay volunteers have a website or advertize in local weekly and student publications. Plasma donation centers can be found in most big cities and private individuals often advertize for sperm and egg donations. Some research studies take place in a few hours, while other, higher paying ones, will ask you to spend a weekend or week at their facilities. Options range from short psychological surveys to overnight sleep study projects to months-long drug studies to determine the safety and effectiveness of new pharmaceuticals.
How Much Can You Make:
Plasma donations often net you $10-20 per session. Sperm and egg donations can pay anywhere from under a hundred dollars up to $10,000, depending on your education, sports ability, attractiveness and other desirable characteristics. Research studies pay ranges from $10-20 for a short psychological survey to thousands of dollars for in-depth long-term projects. Basically, the more time it takes and the more potentially dangerous or invasive it is, the more money you’ll score.
More Information:
Check out our in-depth article on Selling Yourself to Science for more information.