Most clinical trials offer prospective participants some compensation for participating in a study.  If so, how then should the HRPP/IRB assess and determine what is the appropriate compensation?   We talk about compensation for time and effort – what about incentives?  What is the line between ‘influence’ and ‘undue influence’? Should equality or equity be the appropriate principle – after all, not all prospective participants come to the research from the same social context or financial status? Should the HRPP/IRB be concerned about insufficient compensation? This panel will discuss these and other related issues surrounding the social and economic context of compensating participants.