First things first: Human Research Policies & Guidance. The first step to paying research subjects is securing IRB approval. Once approved you will be issued a # (starts with STU), which you will need to include when requesting payments.
Do not issue payments out of personal funds. Do not buy gift cards out of personal funds. Please use university funds to purchase whatever is needed for the payments. This is the second step to payment subjects: Human Subject Payments Policy. The payment methods are listed on pages 3-4.
Options for paying research subjects:
- Cash advance (for cash or physical gift cards)
- Crowdsourcing sites such as Prolific (must be settled within 30 days so corporate card can be reconciled)
- Stored value card (plastic cards)
- Stored value cards (virtual cards)
When you are ready to request the funds for payments (stored value cards, gift cards, or credit at a survey site), submit a request via the SESP online form. You must have IRB approval at this time. If you are requesting a cash advance or stored value cards, please also submit the appropriate forms linked above.