Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is available to eligible academies, voluntary-aided (VA) schools and sixth form colleges to support condition, and a small number of expansion projects, with the focus being to keep school and college buildings safe and in good working order.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midday)
Contents
Summary
CIF is available to eligible academies, VA schools and sixth form colleges, with the primary purpose of addressing significant condition needs, while also supporting a small proportion of expansion projects.
CIF applications are accepted on an annual basis during a set application window.
The Department for Education have contacted all applicable academies, VA schools and sixth form colleges separately to inform them of their eligibility to apply for the 2025-26 round of CIF funding.
More detailed information on the CIF programme, and how to contact us, is available on GOV.UK.
Eligibility
The Department for Education will contact all applicable academies, VA schools and sixth form colleges separately to inform them of their eligibility to apply for CIF funding.
To be eligible to apply, you must have been one of the following at the start of 1 September 2024:
· Stand-alone academy
· School in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with fewer than 5 schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils as counted in the Spring 2024 census or 2023/24 Individualised Learner Record (ILR) (details of how pupils are counted for eligibility purposes are provided below)
· Voluntary Aided (VA) school in a VA body or VA group with fewer than 5 schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils as counted in the Spring 2024 census or 2023/24 ILR
· Sixth-form college
· School with a signed academy order as of 1 September 2024 that the department expects will convert by 1 April 2025.
Objectives
The priority for the Department for Education (DfE) in administering the fund is to address significant condition needs, that is, keeping education providers’ buildings safe and in good working order. This includes funding projects that address health and safety issues, building compliance and buildings in poor condition.
The fund also supports a small number of expansion projects. These are for academies, sixth-form colleges and VA schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted that can demonstrate a need to expand.
Dates
The application window for CIF is open from 22 October 2024, and the deadline for receipt of applications is noon on 17 December 2024.
The deadline for new applicants to register for a CIF portal account is 12 noon on 10 December 2024.
We aim to announce the outcome of the applications in May 2025 (subject to change).
How to apply
Eligible organisations must submit their CIF application through the CIF portal.
Our guidance on GOV.UK details the evidence that must be submitted with your application.