Researchers and the UW IRB have expressed concerns about the requirement to ask research subjects for their Social Security number in order to pay subjects for participating in research.  In response to these concerns, HSD and UW Financial Management have been working with University officials about the possibility of changing this policy.  We are pleased to announce that the policy has been revised, effective immediately, as follows:

New Policy:
When a onetime payment of $50 or less is being made to a research subject, the requirement to obtain a Social Security number is waived.  However, the University of Washington strongly encourages researchers to request Social Security numbers for all research subject payments.

For research subjects who are known to be foreign nationals:  Tax identification numbers should always be obtained for foreign nationals regardless of the dollar amount.