Subject Compensation

It is not uncommon for subjects to be paid for their participation in research.  Payment to research subjects for participation in studies is not considered a benefit, it is a recruitment incentive . Incentives are often used when health or other benefits to subjects are remote or non-existent. However, it is not appropriate to offer payment that is so high that it would encourage an individual to ignore or disregard the research risks. Excessive compensation is coercive and will not be approved.

The amount and schedule of all payments should be presented to the IRB at the time of initial review. The IRB should review both the amount of payment and the proposed method and timing of disbursement to assure that neither are coercive or present undue influence [21 CFR 50.20].

Any payment should accrue as the study progresses and not be contingent upon the subject completing the entire study. Unless it creates undue inconvenience or a coercive practice, payment to subjects who withdraw from the study may be made at the time they would have completed the study (or completed a phase of the study) had they not withdrawn. For example, in a study lasting only a few days, an IRB may find it permissible to allow a single payment date at the end of the study, even to subjects who had withdrawn before that date.

While the entire payment should not be contingent upon completion of the entire study, payment of a small proportion, as an incentive for completion of the study is acceptable providing that such incentive is not coercive. The IRB should determine that the amount paid is reasonable and not so large as to unduly induce subjects to stay in the study when they would otherwise have withdrawn. All information concerning payment, including the amount and schedule of payment(s), should be set forth in the informed consent document.

When researchers choose to compensate human subjects for their participation in research, they must follow federal regulations and university policy designed to ensure participant confidentiality and follow proper accounting procedures. Compensation includes cash and non-cash gifts as incentives for participation. Please review the Human Subjects Compensation website to ensure that proper procedures are followed.