ACER Clinical Research
Bridging Research and Real-World Care
ACER leads clinical research where findings can directly improve client care. Metrocare’s scale and diverse client population create a unique platform for
- Program evaluation
- Identifying social determinants of health
- Implementation of innovative treatments or tools to improve wellbeing
We work with academic investigators/faculty, trainees, and other partners to develop scalable studies, submit grants, and support recruitment.
Trainee Involvement
Graduate students, doctoral trainees, interns, and volunteers interested in ACER clinical research can get involved in ongoing studies or help develop new ones with ACER staff.
See summary of ACER ongoing studies here.
Contact us
If you are interested in research collaboration, trainee involvement, or participant recruitment support, please contact ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org
Conducting Clinical Research at Metrocare
ACER works with academic investigators on prospective studies through collaborative grant development, study design, and implementation. These partnerships create stronger opportunities for funding, scalability, and long-term impact within real-world community mental health settings.
We also support recruitment for ongoing external studies that align with Metrocare’s mission, even when Metrocare is not directly involved in the research itself.
Research Approval Requirements
Whether your study involves a prospective grant collaboration with ACER or you are requesting to use Metrocare solely as a recruitment site for an existing study, all human subjects research requires Metrocare IRB review.
For external studies where Metrocare is not providing research oversight, approval is typically required first through your home institution’s IRB and then through Metrocare’s IRB. In these cases, the Metrocare submission process requires (1) a fully executed Reliance Agreement, and (2) a copy of your home institution’s IRB approval. More information on how to submit to Metrocare’s IRB is below (see “Cayuse Human Ethics”).
Researchers may not begin recruitment of clients or service providers, nor access identifiable data, until IRB review is complete and formal approval or exemption has been granted.
Cayuse Human Ethics
Cayuse Human Ethics is Metrocare’s web-based IRB protocol management system for human subjects research. The platform allows investigators to submit new studies, amendments, renewals, reportable events, and study closeout documentation securely and efficiently.
Investigators can log in using their professional email address and create a password.
New to research at Metrocare/ACER? Please complete the Cayuse access request form or contact us directly for assistance.
If you have previously conducted research with Metrocare and need account access restored, email us at ACERresearch@metrocareservices.org.
Submission Deadlines
Studies that are not eligible for expedited review (do not meet the definition of minimal risk and/or do not fit into an expedited category) must be reviewed by the convened IRB.
Submission deadlines for full-board review are listed in the table below. Please note that new protocols, renewals, and modifications may all require full board IRB review, depending on study scope and risk level.
Metrocare’s IRB meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Submissions are due approximately two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting (10–11 business days). This allows time for ACER’s research office to identify and resolve required revisions before IRB review and ensures IRB members have adequate time to review materials in advance of the meeting.
While reviews are typically completed according to schedule, rare delays may occur if the IRB is unable to reach quorum. If this happens, investigators will be notified as soon as possible with an updated review date.
| Submission Deadlines | Metrocare Services IRB Board Meetings |
|---|---|
| Monday, November 24, 2025 | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| Monday, January 26, 2026 | Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
| Monday, February 23, 2026 | Tuesday, March 10, 2026 |
| Monday, March 30, 2026 | Tuesday, April 14, 2026 |
| Monday, April 27, 2026 | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 |
| Tuesday, May 26, 2026* | Tuesday, June 9, 2026 |
| Monday, June 29, 2026 | Tuesday, July 14, 2026 |
| Monday, July 27, 2026 | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 |
| Monday, August 24, 2026 | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 |
| Monday, October 26, 2026 | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 |
| Monday, November 28, 2026 | Tuesday, December 8, 2026 |
| Monday, December 28, 2026 | Tuesday, January 12, 2027 |
*Due to a national recognized holiday falling on Monday, submissions will be due the following day Tuesday.
Questions? Contact the ACER Research Office
All research-related inquiries (e.g., IRB review, Cayuse access, reliance agreements, collaborative grant submissions, and internships) should be directed to the ACER Research Office.
Please contact us at 469-940-4117 or ACERResearch@metrocareservices.org.
Learn more about ACER Research
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