Human Subjects Incentives – Guidance

University Researcher sometimes provide an incentive to obtain sufficient participation in a research project. That incentive can take many forms including monetary (e.g. gift cards, phone minute cards) and non-monetary items (e.g., T-shirts, books) or intangible benefits (e.g., nominal extra credit option where alternate methods of obtaining equal extra credit are available).

• The value of the incentive must be nominal and in alignment with the effort expended by the participant so as to avoid becoming potentially coercive.
• Incentives can not be considered as a benefit of the research. Incentives are compensation to offset the inconvenience of participating in the research.
• Incentives can not exert undue influence over the participant. (HHS – addressing payment concerns)
  • each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine appropriate balance of incentive to effort and assure clear description of how the incentive will be fairly distributed. (HHS – Addressing ethical concerns, offers of payment to research participants)
• The incentive must be clearly described in both the narrative and the informed consent. The incentives must not be overstated or sensationalized in recruitment materials.
• Any incentive utilized must be clearly described in the narrative and informed consent. (See details below)
• For studies that extend over several sessions or stages, incentives must accrue in alignment with effort. Incentive credit should be accrued as the study progresses and not contingent upon the subject completing the entire study. (FDA – Payment and Reimbursement to Research Subjects)
• Any limitation on incentive accrual must be in agreement with the participant effort in terms of time, money or other resources and clearly stated in the informed consent.
  • E.g., single effort short duration studies can assign a nominal incentive that does not impact participant costs to accrue at the end of the effort. (e.g., a nominal gift card may be provided at the end of a interview or survey, while reimbursement for parking to attend an interview or focus group meeting should not be withheld if the participant ends participation early. )

Important: When you describe the incentive in your informed consent it must include:

• An explanation of how participants will be compensated
• The amount and form of compensation
• How the researcher will distribute the incentive to participants — including any identifiable information that will be collected during that process
• Circumstances under which participants will or will not receive the full or partial incentive.
• Timeframe in which the incentive will be distributed.

Related FAQ links – Can I use a drawing as an incentive?

Last updated: 6/23/2023