2026 Clinical Research Site Challenges Report
THE COST OF COMPLEXITY
Clinical research sites are navigating more demanding trials, strained capacity, and budgets that don’t always reflect the work required.
Hear from more than 400 clinical research professionals about the pressures shaping site performance and where sponsors, CROs, and sites can work together to reduce them.
- What’s driving trial complexity and staffing strain
- Where budgets, contracts, and amendments slow study start-up
- How sites are approaching AI and automation
- Practical opportunities to reduce site burden
What’s Shaping Clinical Research Site Performance in 2026?
Trial opportunity is outpacing site capacity
40% of sites took on moderately more trials this year, while only 26% increased staffing to match the added work.
Discover how growing trial volume and complexity are stretching site capacity.
Most amendments trace back to decisions made before activation
Protocol design changes drive amendments at 78% of sites, significantly outpacing other triggers.
See where earlier planning could prevent downstream rework.
AI is entering contracts faster than workflows
Only 16% of sites have implemented AI or automation, while roughly 44% are already seeing AI-related clauses in clinical trial agreements.
Learn where sites believe AI can have the greatest impact.
Turn Site Insights Into Action
Download WCG’s 2026 Clinical Research Site Challenges Report for the full findings, year-over-year insights, and practical recommendations to address complexity before it becomes rework, added cost, or delay.
Complete the form to download the report.