Participate in Research

As someone living with brain disease, disorder, or injury, we invite you to participate in research.

The Brain Foundation is often approached by Australian Universities and research institutions to help them find volunteers for their research. Current projects are listed below. Please contact the researchers directly if you are interested. Brain Foundation does not administer the research on their behalf.

Click the headings below to jump to a specific section.

• Current calls for volunteers
• Ongoing opportunities
• Archive

Thank you for your interest in offering to help advance the knowledge, management or treatment of neurological conditions by volunteering for research.

If you are a researcher wanting to add your project to our list, click here for more information.

Current calls for volunteers

Please see the listings below to learn about current opportunities to participate in research.

Building the foundations for an Australian Brain Pioneers network
Monash Bioethics Centre, Monash University

This workshop aims to lay the foundations for an Australian Brain Pioneers Network, a community for people with lived experience of neurotechnology research. The workshop will explore what such a network could offer, including its priorities, objectives and opportunities for community participation and collaboration.

We are seeking people with relevant lived experience or community knowledge relating to investigational neurotechnology research. This may include individuals who have participated in neurotechnology research, currently use neurotechnology for treatment or diagnostic purposes, or are eligible or enrolled to participate in a clinical trial of a neurotechnological device.

Participation will involve a half-day in-person workshop with group discussions about the possible aims and future direction of an Australian Brain Pioneers Network. Participants will be paid $150 AUD for their time with reasonable travel and parking costs reimbursed. Catering will be provided.

Places for the in-person workshop are limited. We also plan to run a follow-up virtual workshop later in 2026, providing a further opportunity to contribute.

If you are interested, please contact Dr Nathan Higgins (contact details below).

Recruitment opens: Currently recruiting (1 Sep 2026)
Recruitment closes: 26 November 2026

Participant Information Statement >

Contact details:
Dr Nathan Higgins, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
nathan.higgins@monash.edu

Ethics approval: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 52951).

PECCS: Psychosocial, emotional and cognitive markers of chronic stress in people with chronic pain
UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)

Researchers at UNSW Sydney and the Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), are conducting a research study to better understand the psychological, emotional and cognitive experiences associated with chronic pain. We are looking to recruit adults living in Australia with or without chronic pain to participate in this research.

Participation involves completing an anonymous online survey, which takes approximately 45–60 minutes (including self-paced breaks). Participants will also have the opportunity to enter a draw to receive a $50 gift card as a thank you for their time.

We are looking for people who:

• Are 18 years of age or older
• Can read and understand English
• Are currently experiencing chronic pain (lasting more than 3 months), OR
• Have never experienced chronic pain.

A full description of the research, including what participation involves, eligibility criteria, potential risks and benefits, and privacy information, is available in the Participant Information Statement, which is linked below.

Recruitment opens: 1 August 2026
Recruitment closes: 21 April 2029

Access the survey >
Participant Information Statement >

Contact details:
Dr Yann Quidé, Research Fellow
neurorecoveryresearch@unsw.edu.au
(02) 9065 1883

Ethics approval: UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference no. iRECS6008).

A Randomised Controlled Trial of the Theta Burst Stimulation Melbourne Protocol for Alzheimer’s Disease (The TRAM Protocol)
The Bionics Institute

The Bionics Institute is seeking adults aged 50 to 85 years who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to participate in a clinical trial investigating a new treatment using non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Treatment will involve six weeks of daily TMS appointments (Monday to Friday only), followed by six weeks of once-weekly treatment. Each treatment will take approximately 30 minutes. Participants will also undergo neuroimaging (i.e., fMRI, EEG, fNIRS) to assess brain activity and have blood samples taken before and after to assess changes in biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease monitored during the treatment course and at follow-up appointments at 3, 6, and 12-months post-treatments.

If you would like to know more or are interested in participating, please contact Eunice Ng (details below) or visit the Bionics Institute website for more information.

Recruitment opens: 10 July 2023 (currently recruiting)
Recruitment closes: 29 May 2028

Study Flyer >
Bionics Institute Website >

Contact details:
Ms Eunice Ng, Research Assistant
dementia@bionicsinstitute.org
(03) 9377 9918

Ethics approval: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC 249/22).

Investigating biomarkers of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the tear film
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

Researchers at UNSW Sydney are investigating whether tear fluid and corneal nerves may provide important clues about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)/concussion.

What does participation involve?

• Tear sample collection
• Corneal nerve imaging (non-invasive)

Benefits

Participants may not receive direct personal benefit. However, your involvement may help develop a new non-invasive diagnostic approach for brain injury detection in the future.

Eligibility

Adults aged 18 years or older, who are either:

• Diagnosed with TBI (concussion), or
• Healthy control participants

A full description of the research activities and potential risks is provided in the Participant Information Statement and Consent Form.

Recruitment opens: January 2026
Recruitment closes: January 2027

Study Flyer >
Patient Information Statement and Consent Form >

Contact details:
Mr Zewdu Bizuneh, PhD Candidate
z.bizuneh@unsw.edu.au

Ethics approval: UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee — HC230062

AusCADASIL – An Australian Cohort of CADASIL
Led by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales

Researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) are looking for participants for the AusCADASIL study. This study investigates a genetic condition called CADASIL, which stands for Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy, often considered to be a ‘pure’ model for small vessel disease and vascular dementia.

The study will include online and in-person assessments. These assessments include clinical features, cognitive testing, brain MRI scan, ocular examination, and a blood sample for genetic and biomarker analysis. They will invite you to return for annual follow-up for four years, and may ask you to involve a study partner who can answer some online questions about your health and wellbeing.

They are looking for volunteers, aged 18 or over, for either the CADASIL cohort- including those with diagnosed CADASIL or CADASIL symptoms. They are also looking for healthy individuals without CADASIL to participate in this study. Family members may apply. The recruitment locations are Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane. Please visit the AusCADASIL website or contact Dr Saks for updated information about recruitment and study results. AusCADASIL also holds regular webinars about CADASIL for family, friends and supporters of CADASIL which will be recorded and can be accessed via the website.

Recruitment opens: 2024 onwards
Recruitment closes: December 2026

Patient Information Sheet >
Study Flyer >

Contact details:
Dr Danit Saks
d.saks@unsw.edu.au
(02) 9348 1658
https://www.cheba.unsw.edu.au/research-projects/vascular-contributions-dementia-centre-research-excellence/auscadasil

Ethics approval: 2023/ETH01132

Ongoing Opportunities

If none of the current calls for volunteers are relevant to you, we’ve included some other ways to learn about research participant opportunities below.

StepUp for Research

StepUp for Research is a ‘one-stop shop’ that connects people who are interested in dementia or ageing research with studies they may be able to take part in. Volunteers simply sign up online or over the phone, and provide information such as their age, where they live, any health conditions and if they have a diagnosis of dementia or not.

Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up, and the service is completely free to use. Researchers add new studies to StepUp for Research every week, so there are many different studies that volunteers can be matched to. Some of these might be a short phone or video call interview or an online survey, to drug trials or thinking and memory tests. By signing up, volunteers can choose which studies they are interested in, and contribute towards life-changing dementia and ageing research.

The Brain Foundation is proud to be an Organisation Champion for StepUp for Research. You can learn more about the service in our article ‘Get Involved in Research’. This article also includes information about other ways to get involved, such as brain donation, clinical trial finders, and patient groups. Read more >

Contact details:
stepup.research@sydney.edu.au
1800 7837 123
StepUp for Dementia Research >
StepUp for Ageing Research >

Contribute to brain and cognitive health research at Monash University

The Epidemiology of Dementia Research Lab at Monash University aims to transform dementia from an inevitable condition into one that is preventable, treatable, and guided by personalized interventions.

The Lab, led by Professor Matthew Pase, seeks to understand the health, lifestyle, psychological, and social factors that promote optimal brain health into old age. The team also works to develop new tools for studying brain health, including novel blood tests and advanced brain scans.

To learn more about our lab, or see our contact details, please visit here: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/psych/matthew-pase-lab

Archive

The studies listed below are no longer recruiting research participants.

Multimodal Imaging in Cognitive Decline (The MInD Study)
The University of Melbourne & Bionics Institute

The MInD Sub-study is investigating brain activity associated with age-related cognitive changes, with the goal of identifying early signs of cognitive decline and better understanding of memory and thinking changes linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

People who meet the following criteria might be eligible to participate:

• Aged between 50-85 years
• Have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment OR be a healthy adult with no cognitive concerns

Participants will take part in up to four visits across 2 weeks involving a cognitive testing appointment followed by brain imaging (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electroencephalography (EEG) & functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Participants will be reimbursed for their time/travel costs.

A full description of the research activities is included on the Participant Information and Consent Form, linked below. To register your interest or to find out more about the study, please fill out the registration form and a team member will get back to you.

Recruitment opens: April 2025
Recruitment closes: September 2026

Participant Information and Consent Form >
Registration Form >

Contact details:
Ms Jacqueline Noonan, PhD Candidate
jnoonan@bionicsinstitute.org
(03) 9377 9933

Ethics approval: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC 249/22).

Education Workshop on Medication Management
Monash University

Are you a family member supporting an older adult with their healthcare? We’re inviting you to take part in a research project focused on improving how families engage in managing medications during transitions of care.

We are running educational workshops where family members will be provided with education on the use of two digital resources. We will be measuring how open you are to using these resources before and after the education session.

Workshop details:

• Dates: August/September 1.5 hours total.
  • Participation involves attending one session only.
• Format: Facilitator-led workshops conducted online via zoom.
• Participants: We’re looking for family members of older adults (65+ years of age). Family members can be any age, but must have experience assisting with medications after a hospital visit.
• Task: Receiving education, completing two surveys, and taking part in an interview.
• Reimbursement: $50 digital Coles/Myer voucher for your time.

If you’re interested in participating or would like to learn more, please register your interest using the link below. Alternatively, please contact Caitlin Deery to learn more. We’d love to hear from you!

Recruitment opens: 30 July 2026
Recruitment closes: 7 September 2026

Register your interest >
Participant Information Statement >

Contact details:
Ms Caitlin Deery, PhD student researcher
caitlin.deery@monash.edu
(03) 9905 5009

Ethics approval: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 48512).

This research is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (Project ID: 2025864).

Motivation and self-care in diet-related chronic conditions
The Cairnmillar Institute

Researchers at the Cairnmillar Institute invite you to take part in an online survey examining factors that influence motivation and self-care behaviours.

If you:

• Are aged 18-years or older
• Have a diet-related chronic condition including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease
• Are currently living in Australia
• Are not currently admitted to hospital

What’s involved?

• Complete a brief online survey
• Participation takes approximately 10–15 minutes
• Participants can enter a draw to receive one of fifty $10 Coles e-vouchers

Recruitment opens: Currently recruiting
Recruitment closes: 31 July 2026

Complete the survey >
Participant Information Statement >

Contact details:
Dr Yasser Saeedian
yasser.saeedian@cairnmillar.edu.au
(03) 9813 3400

Ethics approval: Cairnmillar Institute Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference no. 2026042701).

Understanding the Experiences of Young Adults with Chronic Health Conditions: Challenges, Treatment Needs, and Barriers to Psychological Care
Macquarie University

Are you a young adult living with a chronic physical health condition?

Share your experience and help improve support services for others.

We’re conducting an anonymous online survey to better understand the lived experiences, support needs, and treatment barriers faced by young adults living with chronic physical health conditions in Australia.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 to 29 years old
• Have a chronic physical health condition (lasting 6+ months) that has been or is currently being managed by a healthcare professional
• Can read and write in English

What do I get?
After completing the full survey, you can enter a draw to win one of four $50 gift cards. Your participation is anonymous and completely voluntary.

Recruitment opens: August 20th 2025
Recruitment closes: July 1st 2026

Patient Information Sheet >

Contact details:
Nicole Harte, Registered Psychologist & PhD Candidate
nicole.harte@hdr.mq.edu.au

Ethics approval: Macquarie University HREC [Reference no. 520251942563583]

Living with Dementia Survey
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in collaboration with the University of Canberra

Are you living with dementia, or do you care for someone who is? The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, together with the University of Canberra, are looking for people to share their experiences and take part in Australia’s first national Living with Dementia survey – the first survey of its kind in Australia. To take part, register for an account at stepupfordementiaresearch.org.au and if you’re eligible, you’ll receive further information. Your answers can help shape the way care and support are provided to you and others impacted by dementia. Register today, and give hope tomorrow.

Recruitment opens: May 2025
Recruitment closes: November 2025

Patient Information Sheet – Living with Dementia Survey >
Patient Information Sheet – Carer Survey >

Contact details:
stepup.research@sydney.edu.au
1800 7837 123
https://www.stepupfordementiaresearch.org.au/living-with-dementia-survey/

Ethics approval: AIHW Ethics Committee [EO2024/9/1521]

Implementing Evidence-Based Care for Cognitive and Psychosocial Consequences of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Monash University and Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre (MERRC)

We are conducting a national project, Implementing Evidence-Based Care for Cognitive and Psychosocial Consequences of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), funded by the Medical Research Future Fund Mission for TBI. Led by Professor Jennie Ponsford AO with investigators from universities and health services across Australia, the project aims to improve care for adults with TBI.

We are seeking perspectives from clinicians, people with TBI, and family members to inform best-practice models, training, and resource needs.

For clinicians, healthcare providers, and administrators working in the adult TBI sector, we invite you to complete an online survey on psychosocial and cognitive rehabilitation. Access survey here >

Please also share this link with colleagues and networks. The survey examines current practices, gaps, and barriers. Click ‘Next’ after each page to save your responses and return later using the same browser.

For people with TBI and their family members, we are conducting surveys about their experiences. To express interest, please email tbi.rehabproject@monash.edu, call 03 9426 8923, or complete the form here >

Recruitment opens: Currently accepting applicants
Recruitment closes: December 1st 2025

Patient Information Sheet – for clinicians >
Patient Information Sheet – for family / close relationships >
Patient Information Sheet – for people with TBI >

Contact details:
Prof Jennie Ponsford, Principal Researcher
(03) 9426 8923
tbi.rehabproject@monash.edu

Ethics approval: The Alfred Health HREC [Project #11402]

Program to enhance consumer and community engagement in palliative care
Voices for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne

Voices for Palliative Care are seeking members of the community of different backgrounds from across Australia to join a group of people with a lived experience of serious illness who are passionate about improving the quality of palliative care research and service delivery. Voices members provide individual and collective consultation to various research projects. Members will be trained and supported for the role – prior experience in consumer representation or advocacy is not a requirement. For any queries contact Mollie Wilson, Voices for Palliative Care: mollie.wilson@svha.org.au

Recruitment opens: August 1st 2025
Recruitment closes: September 10th 2025

Recruitment Flyer >
Expression of Interest Form >

Contact details:
Mollie Wilson, Research Officer
mollie.wilson@svha.org.au

Ethics approval: St Vincent’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee [Reference Number LRR 192/21]

Uses of music within the care of adults with TBI
University of Melbourne

Do you provide care for someone living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? We would love to hear from you! We are exploring how paid and unpaid caregivers might use music in the care of adults living with a TBI. You might be a home caregiver, an allied health professional, a nurse, a support worker, etc. Please consider taking part in our 10-minute anonymous survey about your experiences, and go in the draw to win 1 of 3 x $100 prepaid gift cards.

This study is part of the Music Attuned Technology: Care via eHealth (MATCH) project, which incorporates a training module and mobile application to facilitate the use of music in dementia care. The current survey assesses how MATCH might be implemented in the care of adults living with TBI. More information is available at https://matchplus.ai/

Recruitment opens: 25 June 2025
Recruitment closes: 25 September 2025

Patient Information Sheet >

Contact details:
Ms Ash Rowbottom, PhD Candidate and Registered Music Therapist
arowbottom@student.unimelb.edu.au

Ethics approval: University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Approval [Project ID: 31373]

Maintaining Social Engagement
University of New South Wales

Dr Suraj Samtani is currently recruiting participants for a new study about the relationship between social engagement, wellbeing and brain function. The goal of this important project is to help people aged 55+ with memory concerns to stay socially connected and feel more confident in social situations.

What’s involved?

• 5 online group sessions
• 3 individual online sessions to track progress

Who can take part?

• Aged over 55
• Noticed changes in memory/thinking OR living with mild cognitive impairment or early stages of dementia
• Able to join online meetings via laptop or tablet
• Have conversational English
• Located anywhere in Australia

How will I benefit?

• Connect with others
• Maintain or enhance your confidence by engaging with others in a small group setting
• Participants go in the draw to win 1 of 3 $100 gift vouchers.

If you are interested, please contact Dr Suraj Samtani or fill out the expression of interest form.

Recruitment opens: January 2024
Recruitment closes: End of August 2025

Patient Information Statement >
Expression of interest >

Contact details:
Dr Suraj Samtani
s.samtani@unsw.edu.au

Ethics approval: iRECS0834

Exploring the treatment of post-stroke fatigue and low mood disorders
University of Newcastle

This study aims to explore the types of treatments that people may prefer for managing post-stroke fatigue and/or low mood conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, apathy = low motivation). These preferences may relate to medications, psychological therapies, lifestyle changes, or alternative remedies.

We are inviting stroke survivors aged 18 years+ living in Australia, as well as informal carers (such as family, friends, neighbours) who support someone affected by stroke-related fatigue or mood disorders.

You can choose to participate via phone, video call (internet – Zoom or Teams online), or in person if you are based in Sydney or Newcastle – whichever is most convenient for you. For in-person interviews, you must be located in Sydney or Newcastle. Please see the Participant Information Sheet for more details.

Recruitment opens: July 2025
Recruitment closes: August 31st 2025

Study Flyer >
Patient Information Sheet >

Contact details:
Ms Yuanchen Liang, PhD Candidate
yuanchen.liang@uon.edu.au

Ethics approval: University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee [Reference Number H-2025-0124]

Brain and Cognitive Health (BACH) Cohort Study
Monash University 

Researchers at Monash University are conducting the Brain and Cognitive Health (BACH) Cohort Study, an initiative that aims to make dementia preventable for future generations. By tracking a large group of adults over time with comprehensive and innovative assessments, the study aims to understand the health, lifestyle, psychological, and social factors that promote optimal brain health into old age.

Participation will involve online and in-person tests, such as blood tests, a brain MRI, neuropsychological testing, and sleep monitoring. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about their sleep and health. You will be be provided with a copy of your blood results, a report summarising your sleep patterns, your 24 hour blood pressure levels, some images from your brain MRI scan, and following completion of the overnight sleep study, analysis of your sleep (information about your brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing overnight).

Who can take part?

• Located in Melbourne (must be available for in-person baseline testing and follow-up assessments three years later)
• Aged between 55-80 years of age
• Fluent in English
• No major neurological illness

If you are interested, you can learn more on the BACH Cohort Study website. Learn more >

Recruitment currently closed.

Contact details:
BACH Cohort Study team
bachcohortstudy@monash.edu