CAKE Initiative Joins UK Compute Roadmap to Advance National Research Infrastructure

CAKE NetworkPlus to Bridge Gaps in UK Computational Research Ecosystem

The United Kingdom has launched the Computational Abilities Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) NetworkPlus, a £1.6 million initiative designed to strengthen collaboration across the nation’s digital research ecosystem. The programme is led by EPCC at the University of Edinburgh, with Durham University and the University of Cambridge as key partners. According to organisers, CAKE has been established to connect experts, encourage the sharing of skills, and reduce fragmentation within the sector. Positioned as a national hub for university collaboration, the initiative aims to bring together researchers, technical specialists, and policymakers to maximise the impact of UK-led digital innovation.

CAKE forms part of the broader Knowledge Exchange and Communications (KEC) NetworkPlus framework, which seeks to widen participation in computational practices while ensuring that the UK’s digital research infrastructure is internationally recognised. Officials confirmed that it is funded through the £129 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) programme, a national strategy focused on building coherent systems to support university research and innovation.

The DRI programme is underpinned by high-performance computing, data services, advanced software tools, and skilled personnel. By embedding FAIR principles—Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability—the strategy prioritises sustainability and long-term planning, positioning the UK as a global leader in cutting-edge science and technology. It was reported that Professor Tobias Weinzierl from Durham University’s Department of Computer Science is co-leading the CAKE knowledge exchange hub. Commentators observed that while the UK hosts some of the world’s top university research facilities, activity has often been fragmented. CAKE has therefore been designed to bridge these gaps, strengthening links across disciplines and institutions while enhancing the visibility of UK-led innovation.

Stakeholders explained that the network would act as a conduit for sharing expertise and outcomes, reducing duplication and promoting best practice. Over the next three years, CAKE is expected to unite participants from across the Durham research projects, Edinburgh-led activities, and other national initiatives. In addition, it will showcase achievements at both national and international events, providing new opportunities for knowledge exchange and enhanced academic research support.

As part of its first set of activities, CAKE will launch a call this autumn for DRI Knowledge Exchange Fellows. These fellowships will provide funding for experts to promote collaboration in their specialist areas. Organisers also confirmed that further calls will follow, alongside international placements and exchange visits designed to strengthen international study partnerships. A series of specialist retreats will additionally be convened to address grand technical challenges, bringing together complementary skills to develop industrially relevant solutions. The initiative has been launched in parallel with the UK’s new compute roadmap, a joint plan by UKRI and the government to strengthen national computational capabilities and digital infrastructure. This roadmap is considered vital for students, researchers, and policymakers alike, reinforcing the UK’s reputation as home to top UK universities with world-class facilities for postgraduate study and research.

Editor’s Note:

The launch of the Computational Abilities Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) NetworkPlus marks a significant step in strengthening the United Kingdom’s digital research ecosystem. In a global environment where advanced computational capacity underpins discovery, innovation, and competitiveness, such an initiative is both timely and necessary. The UK already possesses world-leading facilities in high-performance computing and data-driven research; however, the fragmentation of efforts has often limited their collective impact. By creating a coordinated platform for researchers, technical experts, and policymakers, CAKE is expected to address this challenge directly. It will provide a mechanism for sharing expertise and resources and cultivate a culture of collaboration that reduces duplication and accelerates progress. Through its fellowships, exchanges, and retreats, the programme will enhance the skills base, strengthen international linkages, and position the UK as a global leader in digital research infrastructure.

Skoobuzz underlines that CAKE represents more than just another research network: it is an investment in the nation’s computational abilities, ensuring that they remain resilient, scalable, and capable of meeting the demands of future scientific and technological challenges.