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 SMU’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 FCOI Disclosures
  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 Cayuse with their SMU 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 review the training resources available on the ORI website. For questions related to Cayuse Proposals and Sponsored Projects or to schedule a one-on-one training session, please reach out to sponsoredprojects@smu.edu.

 

Phase 2: Animal Oversight, Hazard Safety, Human Ethics, and FCOI Disclosures

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 has replaced Axiom Mentor for all IRB submissions. All faculty, staff, and students conducting human subjects research must use Cayuse to submit new applications, modifications, continuing reviews, and reportable events.

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

Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)

Effective June 1, 2026, the Cayuse system replaces Axiom Mentor for all Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) submissions. Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosure submission requirements apply to all individuals involved in the design, conduct, or reporting of an externally funded research project.

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

 

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

 

Phase 3: Fund Manager and Project Effort

Implementation anticipated in 2026

Phase 4: Inventions

Implementation anticipated in 2026.