Last updated: January 2, 2026
This program exists to help us find qualified research participants — people genuinely struggling with cognitive overload who might benefit from measuring their decision load.
We want to be clear about what this is and isn't:
The "referral stipend" is compensation for your time and effort in identifying qualified participants. It is not a commission on sales, because we're not selling a consumer product — we're conducting research on cognitive load measurement.
If this framing feels uncomfortable or doesn't align with how you'd promote it, this program may not be right for you. We'd rather have fewer partners who genuinely understand and believe in the research than many who treat it as another affiliate opportunity.
These Research Referral Program Terms ("Terms") govern your participation in the CTE Research Initiative Referral Program operated by Cognitive Thought Engine LLC ("Company", "we", "us").
By registering as a Referral Partner, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not participate.
The CTE Research Referral Program enables Referral Partners ("Partner", "you") to help identify qualified research participants for the Cognitive Thought Engine (CTE) research initiative.
CTE is an experimental research project investigating how cognitive decision load can be measured and potentially reduced. This is early-stage research, not a finished consumer product. Partners should understand and communicate this context when making referrals.
Stipend rates are based on your demonstrated contribution to research participant recruitment:
| Tier | Stipend Rate | Requirement | Advancement Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contributor | 15% | Entry (all new partners) | - |
| Researcher | 20% | 5+ quality referrals | $25 |
| Advocate | 25% + 2% recurring | 15+ quality referrals | $50 |
| Fellow | 30% + 5% recurring | 50+ quality referrals | $100 |
The maximum stipend rate is 30% (Fellow tier). This limit is defined in our HRAO-E governance framework (Section 8.4) to preserve a 70% gross margin for research operations. This is a binding constraint that ensures long-term sustainability of both the research and the referral program.
All stipends are processed via Stripe Connect. You must connect a Stripe account to receive payments.
The minimum payout threshold is $25 USD. Balances below this amount roll over to the following month.
If a referred participant cancels or receives a refund, the corresponding stipend will be deducted from your balance.
Referral cookies are valid for 30 days. A participant must join within 30 days of clicking your link for attribution.
We use first-click attribution. If someone clicks multiple partner links, the first partner receives credit.
A referral qualifies when:
The following do NOT qualify:
You must represent the CTE Research Initiative accurately:
You must disclose your Referral Partner status in accordance with FTC guidelines. Examples:
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive license to use CTE Research Initiative branding solely for legitimate referral activities.
You may leave the program at any time. Pending stipends above the minimum threshold will be paid on the next scheduled date.
We may terminate your participation if you:
Upon termination, balances below the minimum threshold are forfeited. Legitimate pending stipends above the threshold will be paid.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COGNITIVE THOUGHT ENGINE LLC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM.
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL STIPENDS PAID TO YOU IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING ANY CLAIM.
We may modify these Terms, stipend rates, or program structure. Changes will be communicated via email and posted here. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, USA. Disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Harris County, Texas.
For questions about the Research Referral Program:
This Referral Program operates under the HRAO-E (High-Reliability Autonomous Organization - Economic Agency) constitutional framework. Stipend calculations, tier evaluations, and payments are processed by autonomous agents with immutable logging (Section 13). The 30% maximum stipend is a constitutional constraint (Section 8.4) ensuring research sustainability.