18. Limits on Compensation

The DoD has very specific requirements regarding compensation paid to DoD employees, whether they are active duty military or DoD civilian employees (DoD Instruction, 11. Compensation to Human Subjects for Participation in Research). Investigators who plan to compensate subjects may need to ask subjects about their military status in order to comply with the requirements below. Investigators should describe their plan for this assessment of military status in the IRB application.

Current Compensation Plan

On-duty federal personnel including military members:

  • Up to $50 for blood draws
  • Compensation is not allowed for general research participation

Off-duty federal personnel including military members:

  • Up to $50 for blood draws
  • Compensation is allowed for general research participation, as approved by the IRB. Payment may not come directly from a federal source. Payment from a federal contractor or non-federal source is permissible.

Non-federal personnel:

  • Up to $50 for blood draws
  • Compensation is allowed for general research participation, as approved by the IRB. Payment may come from a federal or non-federal source.