Skip to main content

CMU's IRB has transitioned to using the web-based program Cayuse Human Ethics to manage human subjects research studies. Cayuse Human Ethics is a user-friendly, cloud-based electronic protocol management platform. All human subjects research proposals will now be processed using Cayuse rather than paper/pdf forms.

If your project is a course-based research assignment, IRB protocol submission and approval via Cayuse is not required. Instead, faculty members should complete this Class Projects IRB Waiver Request and email it to [email protected].

Accessing Cayuse

Many faculty members automatically had a Cayuse account created for them. If you are not sure if you have a Cayuse account already, try logging in first! If you don't have access, fill out the Cayuse Request form below. Please ensure that emails from [email protected] are not being directed to your spam folder.

Note that all members of the research team need to have a Cayuse account prior to submission. You will not be able to add any researchers to the protocol who do not have an active Cayuse account.    

 log in here

  • Log in if you already have an account.
  • If prompted, use your MAVzone credentials.
  • Click the "Products" tab on your home page to navigate to the Human Ethics module

Request a Cayuse Account

  • If you do not have a Cayuse account, fill out this request form.
  • Access requests will typically be processed within two business days.
  • IRB proposals are typically approved within 2-4 weeks of submission, so please plan accordingly. This timeframe may be extended during busy times, such as prior to the Student Showcase.

Getting Started with Cayuse 

  • Visit the Resource Center within Cayuse Human Ethics for more articles and how-to guides

Incident Report Form

Any unanticipated problem that 1) involves risk to human subjects or others and 2) appears to possibly be related to the research must be reported to the IRB Administrator or designee within two (2) business days via email [email protected]. An Incident Report must then be completed on Cayuse within five (5) business days. 

  • Any study team member may submit the initial emailed notification
  • Preferably, the PI or Co-PI will complete the Incident Report on Cayuse
  • If you are unsure if the issue meets the criteria above, please email the IRB Administrator to discuss. If the issue does not reach the level of an unanticipated problem, your team will not need to submit an Incident Report.