ACER Clinical Research
Bridging the gap between research and the real world.
ACER is committed to offering an environment that supports clinical research in a real-world setting. Treatment innovations developed through research offer renewed hope to our neighbors who are served in public mental health. The Center’s access to thousands of patients assures an adequate trial for almost any new idea. Contact us to obtain patient application forms for upcoming research trials
Trainees who wish to be involved in community-based clinical research have the opportunity to collaborate with current studies or to develop new ones with the assistance of Center staff. Interested individuals may inquire about interning with the ACER Research Office by clicking here.
Conducting Clinical Research at Metrocare
Metrocare Services has a strong track record of research collaboration with many academic institutions. Institutions and their affiliates interested in working with Metrocare clients or data may submit a proposal through our IRB for approval. All initial and subsequent submissions will be entered into and processed through our electronic research administration system, Cayuse Human Ethics.
Cayuse Human Ethics
Effective February 1, 2024, ACER Research Office will begin using Cayuse Human Ethics as its Institutional Review Board (IRB) web-based protocol management system for human subject research. Cayuse Human Ethics is a secure, user-friendly, cloud-based platform that enables collaboration and increases efficiency among investigators, the ACER RO, and IRB committee members. It allows investigators to prepare, submit, and route human subjects research studies with secure electronic document technology. Cayuse Human Ethics allows researchers to prepare and submit studies for review and track their progress through the IRB process as well as make modifications, request renewals, report incidents, and close studies upon completion.
All investigators can log into Cayuse using their professional email address and develop a password.
New collaborator with Metrocare Services and the Altshuler Center for Education and Research? Complete the FORM TO REQUEST ACCESS TO CAYUSE.
If you have engaged in research with Metrocare IRB in the past, we may have already created a username and temporary password for you using your institutional email. Please contact us at ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org so that we can resend the activation email.
Proposal Submission Requirements for External Researchers
Any Researcher hoping to use Metrocare as a site for their study, must first complete the Metrocare Reliance Agreement and return the signed document to Metrocare for signatures at ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org. Once a Metrocare representative signs the agreement, it will be returned to the individual submitting the document at your institution. After you have obtained signatures from both parties, the investigator may begin their submission application for IRB review in Cayuse where they will attach the reliance agreement.
Institutional IRB approval is a requirement for external researchers working with Metrocare. Researchers must upload a copy of their institutional IRB approval to their application in Cayuse.
Any investigator planning a research study involving human subjects must submit an application complete their initial submission in Cayuse HE for IRB review and receive approval or determination of exemption before interacting with Metrocare subjects or their identifiable data.
Submission Deadlines
IRB submissions (new protocols, renewals, or modifications) MAY require full board review and will be considered for approval at convened meetings of the IRB. To ensure adequate time for review and consideration, submissions should be submitted to the IRB in Cayuse HE by the deadlines below.
Pre-screening by the ACER research office staff may identify revisions required by the investigator. These revisions could delay the full board review. Please plan accordingly. IRB meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month, and submissions are due two full weeks (10-11 business days) before the scheduled IRB meeting, as noted below.
Please note: While we strive to review submissions according to the below schedule, there is always the possibility, albeit rare, that the IRB does not make a quorum. If this occurs, you will be informed ASAP of the delay and the updated date for review.
| Submission Deadlines | Metrocare Services IRB Board Meetings |
|---|---|
| Monday, December 30, 2024 | Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
| Monday, January 27, 2025 | Tuesday, February 11, 2025 |
| Monday, February 24, 2025 | Tuesday, March 11, 2025 |
| Monday, March 24, 2025 | Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
| Monday, April 28, 2025 | Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
| Tuesday, May 27, 2025* | Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
| Monday, June 23, 2025 | Tuesday, July 8, 2025 |
| Monday, July 28, 2025 | Tuesday, August 12, 2025 |
| Monday, August 25, 2025 | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 |
| Monday, September 29, 2025 | Tuesday, October 14, 2025 |
| Monday, October 27, 2025 | Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
| Monday, November 24, 2025 | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
*Due to a national recognized holiday falling on Monday, submissions will be due the following day Tuesday.
If you have completed IRB with another institution, please make sure all submitted materials related to your approval are included in your Cayuse submission. Missing information can delay the process.
If you have any questions related to the Metrocare Services IRB, contact the ACER Research Office at 214-743-1202 or email us at ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
Learn more about ACER Research
Human Ethics Compliance
The ACER Research Office (RO) is committed to fostering an environment that promotes adherence to applicable law, ethical principles, and professional standards while pursuing knowledge through research and scholarly activities. The ACER RO furthers this commitment to compliance by assisting researchers with meeting professional, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
Principals and Co-Investigators must ensure that all research team members execute all research procedures following ethical research principles. The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research report “Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research,” commonly known as the Belmont Report, and codified as regulations in Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46 outlines the principles of Justice, Autonomy, and Beneficence.
Investigators may find these and other relevant documents on the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) policy guidance and international issues websites.
As an integral part of the ethical conduct of research, federal guidelines require an independent review of protocols involving human subjects before an investigator can begin the study. This independent review process provides an unbiased evaluation of the risks, promotes the safety of Metrocare Services research participants, and documents that the research, when conducted as approved, will be in accordance with federal regulations regarding Metrocare clients and data. At Metrocare Services, external researchers must have institutional IRB approval before submitting to the Metrocare Services IRB and must complete a reliance agreement.
No activities involving human subjects from Metrocare Services may occur until those activities have been reviewed and approved by the Metrocare Services Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Metrocare Services staff and researchers collaborating with ACER staff on research projects may often use Metrocare Services IRB as their IRB of Record for Human Subjects Research. Contact ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org with questions and concerns.
We look forward to collaborating with you!
Altshuler Center for Education & Research
ACER Research Office
Main 214-743-1202
ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org
