TruCentive recommends designing research payments around participants’ preferences, access needs and expected payment timing. Its April 2025 guidance covers academic, clinical and market research, with options including digital wallets, bank transfers, prepaid rewards and retailer gift cards.

The company argues that a single payment format can create avoidable barriers for people with different banking access, digital skills or spending needs. It recommends considering both the payment method and the way the recipient receives and claims it.

TruCentive describes multi-select rewards that let a participant divide an incentive among several options. It also highlights clear information about whether a payment follows a visit, a study milestone or a recurring schedule.

Automated availability notices and follow-ups for unclaimed rewards are another part of the proposed workflow. The company says these communications should explain what the participant can expect and acknowledge their contribution to the research.

For program administrators, the guidance emphasizes payment tracking, audit records and limiting unnecessary distribution of participants’ personal information. It presents security and institutional requirements as considerations to incorporate into delivery, rather than features that can be assumed from the choice of a payment method.

The article distinguishes payments for time or completed milestones from reimbursement of expenses such as travel, meals or childcare. TruCentive’s overall recommendation is to assess compensation and delivery together so that the process is understandable and usable for the study’s participants.