Since 1954, the NIH Clinical Center, the research hospital on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, has welcomed patients and healthy volunteers from around the world to participate in medical research studies. Some of these studies compensate for participation. We process over 20,000 payment transactions a year to both patients and healthy volunteers.
At this time, debit card payments are temporarily unavailable due to system issues outside of our control. Please select ACH (direct deposit) as your payment method, as this is currently the most reliable option.
Debit card requests submitted during this period may be delayed or rejected. We will share updates as soon as debit card payments resume.
If you have questions, please contact the payment office at 301-496-4763. Thank you for your patience.
See frequently asked questions below:
How can I access SPRS without finding the original "welcome" email and using that very long link?
We recommend that you save your original email with the link. However, if you lose it, please call the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276, so we can send you another invitation with a new link.
Why do I get a "Logged Out" message when I attempt to log in to SPRS?
If you are receiving a "Logged Out" message, the email listed in SPRS does not match the email used to log in to your profile. You must use the same email that you use to create your Login.gov profile when accessing SPRS. For assistance with updating your email, please call the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Why does only the Login.gov option display when accessing SPRS?
Login.gov ensures strong authentication and identity verification when accessing SPRS. Login.gov uses a two-factor authentication requiring you to provide two different types of information to verify and prove your identity when logging in to your SPRS account. Once you have successfully met the two verifications, then you will be granted access to SPRS.
Why do I have to provide my Social Security Number (SSN)?
We are required to report all payments for individuals who are subject to United States (U.S.) taxation laws to the IRS. Therefore, if you have a U.S.-issued SSN, you are required to supply it for tax reporting purposes. If you have never been issued an SSN, you will still be paid for your research participation.
Is my information secure?
Yes. SPRS uses certificates to secure the transmission of data between your computer and the webserver. Once the webserver receives the data, all bank account numbers, routing numbers, and Social Security numbers are encrypted and stored in our database. As a result, only the staff who processes payments have access to your information.
Is there an option for NIH employees to log into SPRS without using a PIV card or NIH Credentials?
You can receive the link via a private/personal email address. Give your study team your preferred email address when you participate in a study.
Whom can I contact with questions regarding the payment process or if I have issues logging in to SPRS?
For help in completing the form online, please call the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
How can I remove my information from the SPRS database?
Contact the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 to request that your information be removed from the registration system. Please note that if a payment was made using your information, that data must remain on file with the application that performed the payment for auditing purposes.
What are my options for receiving my research payment?
The NIH provides this option for receiving payment for your participation in our studies:
- Direct deposit into a checking or savings account at any U.S. financial institution (of your choosing), or
How do I change my current payment option?
To change the payment option on your account, please call the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Will I pay taxes on my research payments?
Compensation payments less than $600 are not taxed. NIH reports compensation of $600 or more to the IRS and sends out a "Form 1099-Other Income" to the participant at the end of the year. This process has not changed and applies to all forms of payments.
Can my payments be garnished for any reason?
Under the U.S. Debt Collection Act, some or all of the volunteer's payment may be garnished by the U.S. Treasury if the participant has outstanding debts to the federal or state government. Unfortunately, the NIH does not have any way of knowing if a volunteer has an outstanding debt to the government and is not informed when the U.S. Treasury garnishes compensation. However, the U.S. Treasury will notify the volunteer directly if this is the case.
As an international study volunteer, how will I receive my research payments?
International volunteers may receive payments via paper check.
How do I provide my bank account information for payment?
If you want to receive payment via direct deposit or physical debit card, NIH uses the Secure Payee Registration System (SPRS). SPRS generates an email with instructions to participants containing a secure link to enter banking information or confirm card receipt.
Why do I need to verify my address if I am receiving payment via direct deposit?
In order to comply with tax reporting requirements, your correct mailing address is required so that NIH may send you tax forms and information regarding your payment. Information will never be used without express written consent from the registrant for anything other than the stated purpose of issuing payments owed and providing government and taxation authorities any reports that are required by law.
Once I submit my information with banking, how long will it take to receive my payment?
Payments are typically received within two to three days (subject to your financial institution's process) of being processed.
How do I know when my money is in my bank account?
If you have provided an email address to the Clinical Center, you will receive an email notification when a payment is processed for you. You may want to check with your financial institution to verify that the funds were deposited into your account.
How do I know if my banking information on file is correct?
To ensure your banking information on file is correct, log in to SPRS, review, and update your information. If you are not sure which banking numbers to enter, contact your financial institution for assistance. If you cannot log in to SPRS, you may contact the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 for assistance.
What if I want to change the bank account receiving the direct deposit?
You may update your account information in SPRS by using the unique link you received in your email or by calling the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 so that your payment will be routed to the proper account.
What if my compensation is processed electronically, but I still did not get it?
Review your banking information in SPRS to verify it is correct. If you need further assistance, please call the Clinical Research Volunteer Program at 301-496-4763 or 800-892-3276 between 8 am to 4 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
How can I sign up my child to get paid (age 17 and under) for EFT?
If the minor has an account with a financial institution, the funds can be sent directly to that account. If the minor does not have an account with a financial institution, funds can be deposited into a parent/legal guardian's account.
For More Information
If you have additional questions, call our office at 301-496-3141, TTY 711, or you can visit the FAQs About The Clinical Center page for more information.
This web page is a resource for payments related to your study participation only. For payments related to travel, lodging and food please contact your study team.