Streamlined administration.
Improved processes.
Better research outcomes.

We help universities improve research funding management through practical training, process reviews and purpose-built digital tools. Less manual work, stronger financial control and more time to support research.

See what we have achieved Tell us your challenge

£10mInnovate UK portfolio we currently manage for a client

20UK universities reached through training, workshops and implementation support

Purpose-built tools. Practical improvements.

We build around the real challenges research teams face, from grant reconciliation and portfolio oversight to finding better-fit funding opportunities.

Post-award

RKE Reconcile

One consistent reconciliation process for the whole team.

Replaces separate, manual reconciliation spreadsheets. Officers check grant finances, record actions and prepare reports in one place, and managers get a clear view of the whole portfolio.

2 hours → 30 min

Average time per reconciliation, measured in a six-week pilot at three UK universities.

Less manual work. Faster reconciliations and reporting.
Stronger control. Consistent checks and a record of every action.
Clearer oversight. Managers see progress and emerging issues early.

Pre-award

RKE Scout

Find funding aligned to your research, without starting every search from scratch.

We help academics discover funding opportunities aligned with their expertise, interests and track record, giving research development teams more time to provide targeted support and make informed decisions.

Researcher profile
Relevant calls
Human review

AI suggests. Research professionals check. Academics decide.

Less searching. Less time spent scanning unsuitable calls.
Better alignment. A focus on the funders that fit.
Better conversations. Funding decisions made with the right information.

Currently in pilot. Relevance and usefulness are being evaluated, and no quantified benefit is claimed yet.

How we help research teams improve.

Consultancy and process reviews

We review the full workflow, strengthen controls and leave you with practical, consistent ways of working.

AI solutions and digital tools

We build lightweight tools around your existing grant workflows to cut repetitive steps and improve financial oversight.

AI training: essential skills

We build confidence and prompt quality through guided practice on real research administration tasks.

Advanced AI training

We help teams apply AI to specific processes, test the quality of outputs and adopt controlled, consistent ways of working.

Trusted by research professionals.

“The AI training from RKE Support improved both the prompts we use and the quality of the results we get back.”

NicoLeeds Beckett University

“Ashley stabilised the team, managing the day-to-day running of the team as well as the year-end research audit. I would not hesitate to work with Ashley again.”

Gary HallidayHead of Research Grants Finance, Heriot-Watt University

20 years in UK research management.

We have run research funding and operations at Heriot-Watt University, London Business School, King's College London, UCL and Imperial College London. That hands-on experience shapes everything we do, from process reviews to the tools we build and the training we deliver.

Our training and implementation support has reached 20 UK universities through live events, conferences, workshops and direct work with teams.

Ashley Blake

Director

Former Deputy Head of Post Award and Director of Research Development. Specialist in UKRI funding models, Innovate UK grant monitoring, TRAC and research audit.

Responsible AI by design

Our training and implementation approach draws on ISO/IEC 42001 principles: governance, risk management, accountability, human oversight and ongoing evaluation. This does not imply accredited certification.

Tell us what you want to improve.

Manual reconciliation, inconsistent processes, funding discovery or getting real value from AI. Tell us what needs improving and we'll suggest a practical next step.

Prefer email? service@rkesupport.com