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TrialFinder is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor.

How to Find a Clinical Trial for Your Condition

Published April 1, 2026

There are currently 7,801 clinical trials actively recruiting participants in the United States. Finding the right trial for your condition can feel overwhelming, but the process is straightforward. This guide walks through each step.

Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Step 1: Search by Condition

Start by searching for your specific condition. TrialFinder indexes trials from ClinicalTrials.gov and organizes them by condition:

If your condition is not listed above, search our full database on the homepage.

Step 2: Understand the Phase

Clinical trials progress through phases, each with different goals and risk levels:

  • Phase 1: First-in-human testing. Small groups (20-80 people). Focus on safety and dosing. Highest uncertainty.
  • Phase 2: Efficacy testing. Larger groups (100-300). Does the treatment work?
  • Phase 3: Definitive testing. Large groups (1,000-3,000). Compares to standard treatment. Most data available.
  • Phase 4: Post-approval monitoring. Treatment is already FDA-approved. Lowest risk.

For a detailed explanation, see our clinical trial phases guide.

Step 3: Check Eligibility

Every trial has specific eligibility criteria. Common requirements include: age range, specific diagnosis or disease stage, prior treatment history, and overall health status. TrialFinder translates clinical eligibility criteria into plain English on each trial page.

Step 4: Talk to Your Doctor

Before enrolling in any trial, discuss it with your treating physician. Your doctor can help you understand whether the trial makes sense for your specific situation, what the potential risks and benefits are, and how participation would interact with your current treatment plan.

Step 5: Contact the Trial

Each trial listing includes contact information for the research team. You can reach out directly to ask questions, confirm eligibility, and start the screening process. Many trials now offer virtual screening visits.

For cancer-specific trials, see our cancer clinical trials guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a clinical trial for my condition?

TrialFinder indexes 7,801 clinical trials from ClinicalTrials.gov. Search by condition on our homepage or browse condition pages to see all recruiting trials. You can also search ClinicalTrials.gov directly, or ask your doctor about trials they know of.

Am I eligible for a clinical trial?

Eligibility depends on the specific trial. Each trial has inclusion criteria (what you need to qualify — specific diagnosis, age range, treatment history) and exclusion criteria (what disqualifies you — other conditions, medications, recent surgeries). Our condition pages translate these criteria into plain English.

Is it free to participate in a clinical trial?

In most clinical trials, the study drug and trial-related medical procedures are provided at no cost. Some trials also cover travel expenses and provide stipends. However, you may still be responsible for standard-of-care costs (regular doctor visits, non-trial medications) depending on your insurance.

Are clinical trials safe?

Clinical trials are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that protect participant safety. All trials carry some risk — that is inherent in testing new treatments. Phase 1 trials carry the most uncertainty. Phase 3 trials, where the treatment has already shown safety and efficacy, carry less risk. Talk to your doctor about the specific risks of any trial you consider.

About This Data

Trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Updated regularly. This is not medical advice — talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you. See our methodology.

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