Cayuse

In 2024, the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) selected Cayuse as an electronic research administration (eRA) software solution. Cayuse is designed to streamline the proposal submission process, support non-financial post-award management, and enhance oversight of research compliance activities. The system provides centralized storage of proposal data, automated routing for approvals, and visibility into status.

The implementation of Cayuse enables ORI to transition from primarily manual, administratively burdensome processes to a  more automated and structured approach to research administration. Cayuse will also streamline workflows and improve the overall effectiveness of grant management across the project lifecycle.  The platform supports 无码专区’s research enterprise by integrating proposal and award management, simplifying subawards, facilitating data sharing, and strengthening regulatory compliance in alignment with federal grant policies.

Cayuse implementation has been divided into four phases:

  1. Proposals and Sponsored Projects
  2. Human Ethics, Animal Oversight, Hazard Safety, and Outside Interests
  3. Fund Manager and Project Effort
  4. Inventions

Implementation Process

Phase 1: Proposals and Sponsored Projects

Effective Monday, January 26th, 2026, researchers will no longer submit PIAF proposals to the Sponsored Projects Administration. Users are required to log in to with their 无码专区 credentials (SSO). Training resources and FAQ are available which users are required to review before attempting to use Cayuse for a smooth transition.

Users should plan to attend a monthly walk-in session for one-on-one assistance and, at minimum, review the training resources available on the ORI website. Walk-in sessions meet in Fondren 109 and are scheduled on the following dates: 

  • February 5th at 11:00 a.m.
  • March 12th at 11:00 a.m.
  • April 2nd at 11:00 a.m.

For questions related to Cayuse Proposals and Sponsored Projects, please reach out to sponsoredprojects@smu.edu.

Phase 2: Animal Oversight, Hazard Safety, Human Ethics, and Outside Interests

The rollout of the Cayuse Compliance Suite is being implemented in three stages:

Animal Oversight (IACUC) and Hazard Safety (IBC)

Effective February 23, 2026, the Animal Oversight (IACUC) and Hazard Safety (IBC) modules are fully operational. All researchers and lab instructors must use Cayuse to submit and manage IACUC and IBC protocols, including new submissions, amendments, and incident reports.

IACUC and IBC submissions are no longer processed in Axiom Mentor.

For module-specific information, guidance, and resources, please visit:

Human Ethics (IRB)

Effective March 30, 2026, the Cayuse Human Ethics (IRB) module will replace Axiom Mentor for all IRB submissions. Beginning on this date, all faculty, staff, and students conducting human subjects research must use Cayuse to submit new applications, modifications, continuing reviews, and reportable events.

RIC will host a Research & Innovation Week workshop for IRB researchers on Monday, March 23 from 2:00–3:00 PM in the Frances Anne Moody Hall Auditorium (1st Floor). . This session will introduce researchers to the new Cayuse Human Ethics (IRB) module. Attendees will receive a brief overview of the system’s features, including how to log in, start a submission, add personnel, and track studies through the review and approval process. Following the workshop, RIC will host a social hour with light refreshments, where attendees can connect with the RIC team and ask questions one-on-one.

Additional guidance and training materials will be available prior to implementation.

Outside Interest (FCOI)

Targeted implementation: April 2026

The Outside Interest (FCOI) module will replace Axiom Mentor for all FCOI submissions. Beginning on this date, researchers must use Cayuse to submit new disclosures, renewals, and updates.

Additional guidance and training materials will be available prior to implementation.

For questions related to any of the Cayuse Compliance Suite modules (Animal Oversight, Hazard Safety, Human Ethics, and Outside Interest), please contact researchcompliance@smu.edu.

Phase 3: Fund Manager and Project Effort

Implementation anticipated in 2026

Phase 4: Inventions

Implementation anticipated in 2026.