Cayuse is a widely used comprehensive research administration software that offers a single platform for managing multiple research functions, including sponsored projects and research compliance. Cayuse’s platform helps researchers and administrators increase collaboration, adhere to regulations, and reduce overall administrative burden. With various tools for identifying risks, monitoring progress, assisting with federal reporting, and preserving integrity without impeding science, Cayuse helps research teams streamline their operations and maximize productivity.
The implementation of Cayuse in the Division of Research represents a significant milestone in the effort to modernize and optimize research administration practices at UNLV. Leveraging Cayuse’s comprehensive tools and interface, the Division is streamlining the way research proposals are developed, submitted, and managed at UNLV.
Within the Division of Research, the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Research Integrity are underway with implementation of the software, which is actively changing the way researchers, administrators, and committee members manage protocols and awards.
Goals
The Division of Research’s implementation of Cayuse is driven by several key goals, including:
- Increased efficiency and improved communication: Employing a system like Cayuse increases efficiency by allowing multiple individuals to engage with protocols and proposals simultaneously. Cayuse also has the functionality to alert campus stakeholders about protocols and processes that might require their attention or support. Within the division, adding automation around communication and workflow helps units more efficiently process protocols, proposals, and awards.
- Optimized sponsored programs planning: Cayuse provides a mechanism for more comprehensive data gathering regarding proposed extramurally-funded programs. With this increased information, the Division of Research, deans, chairs, and other stakeholders on campus can engage in more equitable and data-driven decision making to ensure adequate resources and support are available for successful execution of awards.
- Improved access for researchers: Cayuse serves as a repository for researchers and research teams. Researchers can access previous protocols or proposal documents through Cayuse and modify them for use with a new protocol or proposal. This increased access to past documents helps facilitate more efficient and accurate organization of elements required for a proposal or protocol, reducing redundant efforts by researchers and their teams.
- Timely reporting: Cayuse’s ability to collect and organize data allows the Division of Research to produce more flexible, timely, and accurate reports regarding funded research efforts and human/animal protection programs.
Implementation
Cayuse provides increased efficiency, tracking, and transparency for the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Research Integrity.
Office of Sponsored Programs
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is implementing Cayuse Sponsored Projects (SP) as the university-wide grants management pre-award and post-award system. Cayuse SP will allow for many improvements, including:
- Electronic proposal submission
- Centralized dashboards
- Streamlined routing
- Simplified electronic approvals
- Improved tracking of changes
Currently, OSP is focused on optimizing the pre-award proposal and award functions of extramural funding submissions. In these areas, Cayuse SP will help improve communication and collaboration amongst research teams and administrators, increase efficiency and responsiveness during submission and pending award phases of grant and contract administration, enhance data capture for key metrics related to grants and contracts activity, and reduce risk associated with compliance. Cayuse SP will also be used at the award phase to track which proposals are successful.
Full implementation of Cayuse platforms is expected to be completed in summer 2024. You can find answers to frequently asked questions and more on the Cayuse SP webpage.
Office of Research Integrity
The Office of Research Integrity has implemented Cayuse’s Risk Management software to improve collaboration among teams who work on electronic protocol preparation, submission, and routing. This cutting-edge technology allows the office to accelerate the review process, improve transparency and internal communication, and reduce non-compliance risk with human subjects and animals.
Human Subjects Research was the first to implement Cayuse in September 2021, followed by the Animal Care program. Human Subjects Research is utilizing Cayuse to implement an updated initial submission form to help streamline the study submission process, and updated informed consent forms are next on the docket. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) also use Cayuse for the entire protocol submission process, which ranges from initial submission to committee review, final approval, and continuing reviews.