SONA Directions for Researchers • UCLA Department of Psychology

for Sona questions please contact subjectpool@psych.ucla.edu

For continuing researchers: All experiment data is deleted at the end of each Summer, and new applications are required to run studies in each new academic year.

Part – 1 Application

The Fall 2025 – Summer 2026 application is now open.
Researchers must apply to receive approval to use the UCLA Psychology Department Subject Pool by submitting an application and a copy of your IRB and/or Office of Human Research Protection Program (OHRPP) approval to the Chair of the Subject Pool Committee, Dr. Ladan Shams.
Please note that a separate application needs to be submitted for each study you plan to run (even if they all fall under the umbrella of one larger study).
Once a decision has been finalized you will be notified by subjectpool@psych.ucla.edu – If declined, you will be notified of the reason and asked to resubmit until the issue has been fixed.
- Subject Pool Applications can take 5-7 business days to process.

If your study is approved, you will receive an email notification from subjectpool@psych.ucla.edu regarding next steps. From there you may ask any questions and request a researcher account, which will enable you to access the Psychology Department Subject Pool system. You may also do the same for any additional research assistants.
Once logged into Sona, “create a new study” & insert the information as it appears on your application. Once completed, save the changes and click “send request” to submit your study for a final review.
Do not submit your study on Sona before receiving approval for your application, otherwise the study will be deleted.
- This process usually takes about 1-2 business days to process.

Once your application, and your Sona study have been approved, you may conduct your study, recruit participants, schedule appointment times, and assign credits. Note that compensation to participants is restricted to course credit only. Participants may not receive additional compensation for their involvement in the Psychology Subject Pool.

1st day to run experiments is the 1st day of instruction of each quarter.
Last day to run experiments and assign credit is Thursday Week 10 for Fall, Winter, & Spring quarters.
Last day to run experiments and assign credit is Tuesday Week 6 for Summer Sessions A and C.
Sona will remain closed to all users between any given quarters Last day to run experiments* and the 1st day to run experiments of the following quarter*.

Office of the Human Research Protection Program (OHRPP)
Apply to receive approval to use human subjects in your experiments.