A returned reward in Prolific usually means a study submission was sent back instead of being completed and paid, so that payment is canceled for that study.

What it means

  • If you return a study yourself, you’re basically opting out before completion, and you won’t get the reward for it.
  • Prolific also uses “returned” for submissions returned on behalf of participants or researchers in some cases, such as technical problems.
  • The returned status generally does not hurt your account standing.

In practice

  • You might see a “Return and cancel reward” option when a study is not finished or is waiting review.
  • Once a submission is returned, the study slot becomes available for someone else.
  • If a study was already paid or approved, that is a different status from returned.

Simple example

If you start a Prolific study, realize you can’t finish it, and click return, Prolific treats that submission as not eligible for payment.

Fast takeaway

A returned reward is basically not a payout because the study was returned instead of being completed for payment.