Cayuse Human Ethics

Cayuse Human Ethics is the electronic system that Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ uses for the submission and management of Institutional Review Board (IRB) studies for research involving human subjects.

Cayuse Human Ethics allows faculty, staff, and student investigators to:

  • Prepare and submit new human subjects research applications
  • Route applications electronically for IRB review and approval
  • Submit modifications and continuing reviews (renewals)
  • Report incidents and other required updates

Questions? Contact Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) at researchcompliance@smu.edu

Beginning March 30, 2026, Axiom Mentor will no longer be used for IRB submissions. The Cayuse Human Ethics module will replace Axiom Mentor as Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s system for submitting human subjects research applications, modifications, and incident reports for IRB review.

Legacy data from active IRB studies in Axiom Mentor has been transferred to Cayuse to support a smooth transition. See FAQ on Legacy Studies below for additional information.

Cayuse Training

Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) offers a range of training and support options to help you confidently navigate the Cayuse Human Ethics system:

  • View the
  • Drop in to  (Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00 PM)
  • Schedule a 

Our goal is to ensure you have the tools and support needed to successfully complete and manage your Human Ethics submissions in Cayuse.

Cayuse Account Access

All Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ employees (faculty and staff) have access to Cayuse via their Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ SSO credentials. Active Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ students needing Cayuse access must submit an Account Request Form.

 

Cayuse Human Ethics FAQ

Cayuse Human Ethics (HE) is a web-based application used to draft, submit, review, approve, and manage IRB Studies. This system replaces Axiom Mentor. Submissions can be accessed through the Cayuse website on any internet-connected device.

Log in to  using your Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Single-Sign-On (SSO) credentials. 

From the Products dropdown (top right), select Human Ethics.

For further navigation guidance, please refer to the .

All active human subjects research studies as of March 30, 2026, have been migrated from Axiom Mentor to Cayuse Human Ethics. The studies that were approved in Axiom Mentor and migrated to Cayuse are referred to as “Legacy Studies.”

Legacy Studies:

  • A “shell” study form was created in Cayuse for each Legacy Study. The shell includes basic information such as project personnel, project title, project number, approval date, and a PDF copy of the approved Axiom Mentor study documentation.
Legacy Study documents (e.g., Axiom Mentor protocol, Axiom Mentor approval letters) are being uploaded to Cayuse on a rolling basis. RIC maintains copies of all legacy documents and can provide them upon request.

Substantive Modifications and Renewals

  • If a researcher needs to submit a substantive modification or renewal, the Legacy Study form must first be “backfilled” in Cayuse.
  • Backfilling is completed by submitting a Modification and completing the Basic Information section of the application, which will trigger additional required questions based on the type of research being performed. The research team must then enter the study information into Cayuse (including any proposed modifications) and submit.
  • Researchers may complete this process themselves or contact Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) for assistance. A RIC team member can initiate a draft Modification Submission and pre-populate as much information as possible, based on the approved Axiom Mentor study. The study team will then be notified to complete any remaining required fields and submit.

Personnel Modifications and Incident Reports

  • If a researcher only needs to submit study personnel updates or an Incident Report on a Legacy Study, the backfill process is not required.

For further guidance on submitting a study modification or reporting an incident, please refer to the .

All active human subjects research studies as of March 30, 2026, have been migrated from Axiom Mentor to Cayuse Human Ethics. If you cannot locate your study in Cayuse, contact researchcompliance@smu.edu.

To request creation of a Cayuse account, complete the: .

All Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ employees (faculty and staff) have access to Cayuse via their Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ SSO credentials. Active Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ students needing Cayuse access must submit an Account Request Form.

Any Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Cayuse user may create and submit an IRB Study. A Principal Investigator (PI) must be assigned to the Study, and the PI must certify the Initial Submission before it is routed for IRB review. If the PI is a student, the Faculty Advisor must certify before it is routed for IRB review.

 

For an approved Study, any listed Project Personnel may submit Modifications, Renewals, or Incident Reports, but the PI (or Faculty Advisor, if the PI is a student) must certify the new submission before it is routed for IRB review.

The system sends automated email notifications to the PI, Primary Contact(s), and Faculty Advisor when action is required. Examples include requests for responses to IRB reviewer comments and reminders that a Study is approaching its renewal deadline.