Fenway goes far beyond the role of the traditional community health center. At The Fenway Institute, we don't believe it's enough to treat an illness or just help the healing. We are dedicated to understanding a problem, an illness, and helping find solutions to it. We are proud to have a vibrant, nationally-recognized research and evaluation program. Since 1985, Fenway has conducted scientific studies in a variety of areas, and is recognized around the world for cutting edge research on HIV prevention and transmission.

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To learn about The Fenway Institute's investigators and faculty, click here.

For information on our Community Advisory Board, click here.

To download a bibliography of LGBT health literature, click here.

For answers to frequently asked questions about research studies, visit the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation.

Current Studies

Many exciting opportunities await community members of all ages who want to help find new ways to support people infected with HIV and reduce the spread of the virus.

A selected list of studies that are currently recruiting participants is posted below.  Additional studies will be added on a regular basis. We invite you to consider participation in any of our research opportunities.  Specific eligibility requirements have been established for each study.  Studies provide financial incentives to volunteers in acknowledgement of their time and support.  Individuals interested in study participation or more information are encouraged to contact Fenway's Research Department for more information at 617.927.6450.

Studies listings on this page are organized in four groups:

Studies for Women

Studies for HIV-Negative People

Studies for HIV-Postive People

Behavioral Studies

There is also a listing of currently enrolling Epidemiology Studies here.

Studies for Women

Project LINK
Women, we want to hear from you!  Let’s Unite Against HIV.

Fenway Health is conducting a research study to assess women’s opinions about vaginal products.  The study involves 4 visits over 6 weeks. Participants are compensated up to $240 over the course of the study

Your opinions will help scientists create new products that women can use to prevent HIV.  You might be eligible to participate if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 45
• Have had vaginal sex with a man in the past 12 months 
• Want to help protect women from HIV

If you would like more information please call Project LINK, 617.927.6195

Human Papillomavirus
At least one in two women will get Human Papillomavirus (HPV).  Condoms can protect, but don't always stop the spread of HPV. You may never have symptoms or know that you became infected. HPV infection can cause genital warts and over time can raise your risk of developing cervical cancer.

Help research by volunteering for a vaccine research study. How do you qualify?

You may qualify if you:

• are between 18 and 26 years of age
• are willing to use birth control for at least seven months
• are not planning to become pregnant in the first seven months of the study
• have never been vaccinated for HPV
• have not had an abnormal PAP

Please call The Fenway Institute at 617.927.6085 for more information.

Boston University Women's Well-Being Studies
Boston University's Medical Campus is currently recruiting women of diverse sexual orientations for studies looking at health and well-being.  Learn more here.

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Studies for HIV-Negative People

Project PARTY
Go to male sex parties? Like group sex with men?

You may be eligible to participate if:

• You are age 18 or older
• You are HIV-negative
• Have attended a sex party in the past 12 months

By joining Project PARTY, you have the opportunity to participate in a cutting-edge health promotion program focused on protecting your sexual health.

The study lasts approximately 6 months. Participants are compensated up to or more than $150 over the course of the study.

For more information and to see if you may be eligible, call Project PARTY at 617-927-6470.

Project SOS (Saving OurSelves)
There are more new HIV infections in black gay and bisexual men than in any other group of gay and bisexual men.  Do you want to help our community address this problem?

If you are:

• Age 18 or older
• A black male (male at birth or male-identified)
• Sexually active with other men

Then we want your help with a research study that will evaluate ways of reducing HIV infections in Black men who have sex with men.  Call toll free 877.767.5434 and ask to speak to someone about Project SOS (Saving Ourselves).  Project participants will receive HIV and STI counseling and testing, referrals to care, and peer health navigation.  Participants are compensated up to $240.

For more information and to see if you may be eligible, call toll free: 877.SOS.5434 / 877.767.5434

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Do you think you've had a risky exposure to HIV within the last 3 days?  Call (617) 927-6440 right away to learn if PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is for you.  PEP is a combination of anti HIV medications that may prevent HIV from taking hold in your body.  Call now to learn more.

Help us understand more about the Herpes Virus
Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted chronic, life-long viral infection cause by herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2) that affects at least 45 million people in the US over the age of 12. 

We are currently enrolling qualified individuals into a study looking at the possibility of developing a Herpes Vaccine.  If you:

• Have a documented HVS-2 infection
• Have been repeatedly exposed to HVS-2 through an infected partner but are not HVS infected
• Have Genital HSV-1

You may qualify for this study.

The study requires two visits to the study office and a blood draw at each visit.  You will be compensated up to $50.00 for two visits. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Ronn Bill at 617.927.6169

READY TO THRIVE?
More than 1 in 4 Men that have sex with Men have experienced sexual abuse as children or adolescents.

Fenway Health is seeking male volunteers to participate in a research study to develop a holistic therapy to treat issues related to sexual abuse and to adult sexual health.

You may be eligible to participate if:

• You are a man that has sex with men
• You have a history of unwanted sexual contact during childhood or adolescence
• You are HIV-negative

By joining Project THRIVE, you may receive 10 sessions of (no cost) individual and confidential counseling. Therapy will focus on managing trauma and anxiety, and protecting your sexual health and well-being.

The study involves up to 14 visits over 9 months.  Participants are compensated up to $275 over the course of the study.

For more information and to see if you may be eligible, call 617.927.6119 or 617.927.6037.

Tops & Bottoms WANTED
Fenway Health is seeking HIV-negative men who have sex with men to participate in a vaccine trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational HIV vaccine.

The fact is, 63% of all HIV/AIDS cases in the U.S. are in gay and bisexual men and HIV infection rates are rising among men who have sex with men.

We are seeking volunteers: HIV-negative men, Ages 18-45, who have been a top or bottom in the past 6 months. Volunteers receive compensation for their time and travel expenses, as well as confidential HIV counseling and testing.

You cannot get HIV from this investigational HIV vaccine.  Please consider volunteering.

For more Information or to volunteer, Call 617.927.6450 or email Danny at dtu@fenwayhealth.org.

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Studies for HIV-Positive People

Project SOS (Saving OurSelves)
There are more new HIV infections in black gay and bisexual men than in any other group of gay and bisexual men.  Do you want to help our community address this problem?

If you are:

• Age 18 or older
• A black male (male at birth or male-identified)
• Sexually active with other men

Then we want your help with a research study that will evaluate ways of reducing HIV infections in Black men who have sex with men.  Call toll free 877.767.5434 and ask to speak to someone about Project SOS (Saving Ourselves).  Project participants will receive HIV and STI counseling and testing, referrals to care, and peer health navigation.  Participants are compensated up to $240.

For more information and to see if you may be eligible, call toll free: 877.SOS.5434 / 877.767.5434

Project TRIAD
Are you:

• Living with HIV?
• Currently taking medication for HIV?
• Often Feeling sad or down?

If you said yes to all three, you may be elgible to take part in Project TRIAD, a behvioral research study at Fenway Health.

Study participants receive:

• No-cost assessment and feedback
• Travel reimbursement
• Up to $500 in participant payments

Interested?  Call 617.927.6119.  Know someone else who might be interested in this study?  Please pass this information along.

New Experimental HIV Medication
Are you currently taking one of the following medications and still have an elevated viral load greater that 2,000 copies?                       

• Epivir (3TC)
• Emtriva (FTC)
• Truvada
• Combivir
• Atripla
• Trizivir
• Epzicom 

You may be eligible for a research project looking at the safety, efficacy and tolerability of a new experimental medication.  Eligible participant will receive free study medication, lab testing and $50.00 for each completed study visit.  If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Ronn Bill at 617.927.6169

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