Research Incentive Guidelines

Payment may be made, or other consideration provided, to subjects to compensate them for these contributions under the criteria outlined in the HRPP Operations Manual, Part 7, Section V and SPG 501.7, Research Subject Incentives.  If U-M researchers wish to conduct a lottery, raffle, or sweepstakes as a form of incentive payment, or as a part of research with human subjects, they must comply with federal policy and State of Michigan Act 382 of 1972.

Research Lottery/Raffle

A research lottery or raffle (interchangeable terms) is one in which participants are offered a chance to win a prize or something of value in return for their participation in a research activity, such as a survey or experiment. Per SOM Act 382, Section 432.105d the University of Michigan is a ” Qualified Organization” and is excused from obtaining a license under specific criteria, which a U-M IRB will check for upon their review of the proposed study and incentive activity.

“If you are charging people or requiring them to donate or provide something of value to participate in a drawing where a prize will be awarded, then you are conducting a raffle”  ~ State of Michigan Charitable Gaming Division Raffle Guide 

IRB Review Criteria

1. Total cash value of prizes (cash, gift certificates/cards, merchandise) awarded on any day cannot exceed $100.
2. There are no second chance drawings, meaning that individuals cannot be entered into a pool for a prize more than one time.  This limit meets SOM “single gathering” criteria.
3. There is no pre-sale of raffle/lottery tickets
4. The informed consent document must include a description of the lottery/raffle process

​Example

A study team has $300 to offer as incentives and plans to hold three drawings for $100 total distribution on three days, awarding four $25 prizes on each day. The team’s plan meets IRB criteria if:

• They do not exceed the $100/day limit
• They enter three distinct pools of research participants for each drawing (e.g., Subjects 1-25 on day 1; Subjects 26-50 on day 2; Subjects 51-75 on day 3)