For Volunteers
The Research Study Volunteer Project (RSVP) is a program matching HIV positive and HIV negative people in Los Angeles County with HIV related research at UCLA. We want everyone in Los Angeles who is interested in research trials to be able to find one that fits their needs.
About Participating
Volunteers are the heart of research at UCLA. Without you, we would have extremely limited research. Everyone has a different reason for volunteering. Whether it is to help future generations, to give back, or to be on the cutting edge of science, we are so grateful for all of the volunteers that help us with our work.
Enroll as a Volunteer
The RSVP database is a secure, password protected database that matches people who are interested in participating in research studies with appropriate studies. Research studies usually have rules about who can and cannot participate. These are called inclusion and exclusion criteria. If you enroll in RSVP, we will ask you to answer some questions about your health history and some contact information. These questions are designed to help us match you with studies that are appropriate for you. You may choose to fill out as much or as little information as you wish. The more information you fill out, however, the more accurate your matches will be.
While you will not be compensated for enrolling in RSVP, each study that you are contacted about will have its own rules about whether there is compensation or not. You must contact the study coordinator after you are matched to find out more about compensation.
Joining RSVP does not automatically enter you into any research studies. Once you sign up for RSVP, you will be contacted if you might be eligible for a study. It will always be your choice to speak with the research team or not to see if you are eligible through a more thorough screening.
Participant Resources
All studies at UCLA are reviewed first by the UCLA Institutional Research Board (IRB). If you have questions or concerns about any study at UCLA, you can contact the UCLA IRB to discuss your concerns. The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute is committed to discovering innovative ways to improve global health. Doctors, researchers and patients must collaborate to minimize health problems, improve treatment methods and create stronger communities. UCLA CTSI is committed to this mission and is actively working to employ the positive effects of translational research by taking it from science, to knowledge, to practice.
Search for Research Studies
Another way you can learn more about research studies at UCLA is by going to the UCLA CARE Center Clinical Trials website. Many, but not all studies at UCLA are listed there including the contact information for each study. Clinicaltrials.gov is a database of all clinical trials that are occurring in the United States. You can search this database for trials that might interest you.
Privacy and Confidentiality
It is a privilege to involve people in research. UCLA takes this privilege very seriously. Federal regulations, state laws and University of California policies require that UCLA protects the rights and welfare of research participants. Everyone at UCLA is responsible for following these requirements. Every participant receives the same high level of protection. This is true no matter who pays for the research or where the research actually takes place. Your privacy and confidentiality is very important to us. If you are concerned about your privacy or confidentiality, please contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I contact for more information?
If you are interested in more information about RSVP, please call us at 310-557-9062. You can also email the program at [email protected].
Who can I contact for more information?
If you want to stop participating in RSVP, we may ask you some questions about the reasons you stopped participating, but you can cancel your participation at any time, with no penalty.
Are there benefits to participating in RSVP?
The benefit of participating in RSVP is that you may be more informed about the research occurring at UCLA. You may also have an earlier opportunity to enroll in the research if you wish.
Are there risks of participating in RSVP?
There could be a potential loss of confidentiality of the information you provide to us, however, we have safeguards in place to make sure that your information is kept confidential.
If I choose email as the way I would prefer to be contacted, what will I receive?
If email is your contact preference, whenever we email you, we will use the email address [email protected] In the subject line of the email it will always say “RSVP”. There will never be a mention of HIV in the email body or subject line. The body of the email will say, “This is a contact from RSVP. We have found a research match that you may be interested in. For more information on this study, please contact [study coordinator’s name] at [study coordinator’s phone number]. You may also view information about the study, such as a flyer, using this link: [RSVP web address for flyer]. If you have any questions about the RSVP program, please feel free to email us or contact us at [email protected] / 310-557-9062.” The flyer may have HIV related information in it, depending on the study.
Am I required to sign up for a clinical trial if I enroll in RSVP?
There is no obligation to participate in any study if you sign up for RSVP. You may be matched with and contacted about studies and you can, at any time, tell the study coordinator that you are not interested in participating.
Why does the RSVP survey ask so many questions?
The questions on the survey are designed to match you to research volunteer opportunities. The more questions you answer, the more closely we can match you to a research study. You can choose to answer as many or as few questions as you want.
What if I do not have HIV?
We are looking for people who don’t have HIV as well as people who do. We may have a trial of something to prevent HIV or a questionnaire for people who don’t have HIV, so we welcome your participation!