Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Schools Market Engagement Event
The Department for Education (DfE) are pleased to announce that the Schools Water Strategy team will be holding a Market Engagement Event on Tuesday 8th July 2025 at 11:00-12:00 for the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in schools Grant Scheme. The aim of the match funded grant scheme is to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in the school estate; these solutions may also reduce the strain on local drainage networks. **Please note this is NOT an application process for grant funding at this time and this advert is for a Market Engagement Event only for the planned FY26/27 application round. **
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
** This is a Market Engagement event only for the SuDS in Schools Grant Scheme, the below is a description of the grant scheme, which will be launched separately to this Market Engagement event.**
The Department for Education (DfE) is looking to work with delivery providers to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in the school estate through installing SuDS solutions, these solutions may also reduce the strain on local drainage networks. The DfE will consider grant funding contributions towards small, medium and large SuDS projects as defined below:
· Small schemes e.g. a range of small, medium and large planters.
· Medium schemes e.g. a range of planters, small sized rain gardens and tree pits.
· Large schemes e.g. a range planters, tree pits, swales/detention basin and a range of medium to large rain gardens.
This is a match funded grant scheme and therefore, at the DfE’s discretion and where the scheme criteria allow, the DfE can fund up to 50% of the total project costs.
Funding for the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in schools Grant Scheme is subject to approval in the 2026 Government Budget. If funding is not secured in the 2026 Budget, then the Market Engagement Event maybe amended or withdrawn and (if launched) the SuDS Grant Scheme application may be withdrawn, DfE reserves the right to terminate the Market Engagement Event or (if launched) application process at any stage prior to grant signature. The Schools Water Strategy team will endeavour to notify applicants as soon as possible in the event that funding is not secured and/or the application is withdrawn.
Eligibility
The following are eligible to apply for the SuDS in Schools Grant Scheme when the application round is live:
A Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).
A Water Company.
A Non-Profit Organisation.
State Funded School (Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Alternative Provisions) in England.
*All eligible delivery providers and project contributors will be subject to DfE’s due diligence checks prior to acceptance.
Objectives
The objective of the Market Engagement Event is to:
· Provide an understanding of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in schools Grant Scheme.
· Improve awareness of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in schools Grant Scheme.
· Share information around the application process and any key areas to be aware of.
· Join up Schools with Lead Local Flood Authorities, Water Companies and Charities to form joint bids where possible (through sharing of contact information).
Dates
The Market Engagement Event will take place on Tuesday 8th July at 11:00-12:00.
Dates have not yet been confirmed for future grant application rounds; this date is for the SuDS Market Engagement Event only.
**Please note that no applications for funding are being accepted at this time and this advert is for the Market Engagement Event only for the planned FY26/27 application round.**
How to apply
Please complete the Microsoft Form to register for the Market Engagement Event, confirming details of all attendees:
https://forms.office.com/e/M9eXc8ytu3
**Please note that no applications for funding are being accepted at the time of publishing this advert and this advert is for the Market Engagement Event only for the planned FY26/27 application round. Any funding for the Sustainable Drainage Systems in Schools Grant Scheme relating to this Market Engagement Event is subject to approval in the 2026 Government Budget. If funding is not secured in the 2026 Budget, then the Market Engagement Event maybe amended or withdrawn and future activity relating to this will be reviewed accordingly.**
We plan to publish details of the FY26/27 Grant application process in full as a new Find a Grant advert (as per previous years).
Supporting information
Not Applicable.