This page contains resources and best practices for paying community partners for their collaborative work on research projects and other activities. If community partners are contributing their wisdom, knowledge, expertise, and time to a project, they deserve to be compensated appropriately.
Many UCSF units use an hourly rate commensurate with the CTSI consultation services recharge rate for senior-level staff. As of 2026, that rate is $145/hour. This rate is a benchmark. The rate that individual projects use will be based on budget, role of the community partner(s), and other factors.
Please peruse our resources below for more information about community partner payments, and reach out through our Connect page for 1:1 consultations on payment strategies or other questions.
The Currency of Collaboration: Exploring Community Partner Payments
Learn essentials of supplier setup, documentation, and streamline the process with clear instructions on requesting payments for community partners and donations.
Quick Guide: Paying UCSF Community Partners using the Payment Request Form
Step-by-step guide for paying non-UCSF individuals or organizations for consulting or participation in community advisory bodies.
Quick Guide: UCSF Community Partner Payments Guide
This guide provides instructions for paying UCSF community partners.
Guide: A Guide to Creating Partnership Agreements and MOUs
This document provides guidelines for creating Memoranda of Understanding.
Template: UCSF & Community Partner Scope of Work (SOW)
Template: UCSF Payment Terms Email
Templates to keep community partners abreast of the UCSF payment process
Template: Invoice for Services from Community Partners
Sample invoice template for community partners or outside vendors.