Peer Recruitment

Peer recruitment is a recruitment strategy in which current study participants invite or refer people from their social networks to learn about a research study. This approach is also known as snowball recruitment, participant-driven recruitment, or chain referral sampling.

NIH Policy 302 prohibits NIH investigators and Institutes and Centers (ICs) from providing or receiving finder’s fees in connection with NIH research. However, the NIH IRB may allow compensation for adult participants who serve as peer recruiters when it is appropriate for the study design, level of risk, and recruitment approach.

Minors may not serve as peer recruiters.

Peer recruitment may be appropriate when current study participants are asked to introduce or refer potential participants from their social networks.

If your study proposes to:

• Ask participants to recruit potential participants, or
• Compensate participants for serving as peer recruiters,

you must describe the peer recruitment plan in your protocol and obtain NIH IRB approval before implementing the recruitment strategy.

Adult participants may be compensated for serving as peer recruiters when the NIH IRB determines that peer recruitment is appropriate for the study design and recruitment strategy.

Peer recruiters must:

• Be adults.
• Not be in a subordinate relationship to the investigator.

In addition:

• Compensation may not depend on whether a referred individual enrolls in the study or completes study activities.
• The amount and method of compensation must be described in the protocol and approved by the NIH IRB before implementation.

Peer recruitment should be designed to protect both peer recruiters and potential participants.

When developing your recruitment plan, consider how you will minimize:

• Accidental disclosure of sensitive information.
• Undue pressure to participate.
• Breaches of privacy or confidentiality.

Whenever possible, recruitment should encourage interested individuals to contact the study team directly, rather than requiring peer recruiters to collect or share personal information.

Describe these safeguards in your protocol.

If your study includes peer recruitment, describe:

• Why peer recruitment is appropriate for the study.
• How peer recruiters will be selected.
• How peer recruitment will be conducted.
• The amount, timing, and method of compensation.
• Measures to protect privacy and minimize coercion or undue influence.

Submit the following for IRB review and approval before implementing peer recruitment:

• A Peer Recruiter Information Sheet describing:
  • Selection criteria
  • Recruitment procedures
  • Compensation, if applicable
  • Privacy protections
• All recruitment materials that peer recruiters will use, including:
  • Scripts
  • Text messages
  • Emails
  • Flyers
  • Social media posts
  • Other recruitment tools

If questions arise regarding participant privacy, confidentiality, or the conduct of peer recruitment during the study, consult OHSRP for guidance. Investigators should follow applicable NIH reporting requirements when an event affects participant rights, safety, welfare, or the conduct of the research.

Peer recruitment may be an effective recruitment strategy when appropriate for the study, but it requires NIH IRB approval, safeguards to protect privacy and voluntary participation, and compensation that is not tied to participant enrollment or study completion.

If you have questions about using peer recruitment or compensating peer recruiters, contact OHSRP before submitting your protocol.