Each year, schools, academies, and sixth-form colleges compete for a portion of the hundreds of millions of pounds allocated by the Department for Education to address building repairs and expansion needs.
This funding, known as the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), has awarded approximately £15 billion since its inception in 2015, with the official guidance for applications refreshed annually.
As a leading consultancy with extensive experience within the Education sector, Ingleton Wood has successfully secured millions in CIF funding for a diverse range of projects at multiple schools, academies, and colleges across the UK.
From conducting condition surveys to managing bids and overseeing projects, Ingleton Wood collaborates with clients to enhance their chances of securing CIF funding and ensure their education environment is modern, sustainable, and future-ready.
Why choose Ingleton Wood?
Ingleton Wood has a long-standing track record of guiding schools, colleges, and academies through successful CIF bids; securing millions of pounds in funding from the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for urgent condition and infrastructure projects at schools, academies, and colleges.
Our multidisciplinary expertise, spanning architecture, engineering, building surveying, and project management, gives us a holistic understanding of what it takes to secure funding.
We have supported multiple education institutions with projects that have improved building conditions, enhanced learning environments, and contributed to energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is a government initiative designed to support the maintenance and improvement of educational buildings, ensuring they remain in good condition.
State-funded schools and sixth-form colleges can apply each year for capital funding to cover essential maintenance projects, such as roof repairs, heating and lighting upgrades, fire safety enhancements, and safeguarding measures. Additionally, CIF funding can be used for expansion projects in schools facing overcrowding.
However, not all schools are eligible for CIF funding. Larger schools and academies receive their funding through an annual allocation based on a formula, rather than applying for CIF.
Who can apply for CIF funding?
Schools are either part of bodies eligible for a School Condition Allocation (SCA) or eligible for CIF, depending on their size and type.
Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) and larger Voluntary Aided (VA) school bodies receive direct SCA to invest in priorities across the schools for which they are responsible. Smaller academy trusts, smaller VA bodies and sixth-form colleges are able to bid for CIF.
To be eligible to apply for CIF funding, you must have been one of the following at the start of September 2024:
- Stand-alone academy.
- School in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with fewer than five schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils as counted in the Spring 2024 census or 2023/24 Individualised Learner Record 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 five 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 1st September 2024 that the department expects will convert to a CIF-eligible responsible body by 1st April 2025.
If a CIF-eligible school has been invited to apply to the fund for 2025 to 2026, the responsible body will not receive any SCA funding on your behalf.
If you have condition investment requirements, you should therefore apply directly for funding.
To receive direct SCA in 2025 to 2026, MATs and VA bodies must meet both of these eligibility criteria:
they must have had 5 or more open schools at the start of September 2023
those open schools or their predecessors must have had at least 3,000 pupils, as counted in the spring 2023 census or the 2022 to 2023 ILR.
What’s new for the 2025-26 guidance?
- Increased upload limit for photos (1MB).
- Requirement for a signed declaration from the Trust.
- Projects classified as highest priority will be funded over some higher-scoring projects from lower priority categories.
- High-value projects previously labelled 'approved in principle' are now classified as 'placed on hold pending further due diligence’.
- Expanded list of condition evidence updated.
- CIF loan percentage has decreased compared to the previous year.
Key dates for CIF 2025-26
| Milestone | Date |
| Launch of CIF 2025-26: information for applications published and the online application window opens | 22nd October 2024 |
| Deadline for new applicants to register for a CIF portal account |
12 noon, 10th December 2024 |
| Deadlines for applicants to submit applications with all supporting documents | 12 noon, 17th December 2024 |
| Applicants notified of the outcome |
May 2025 (subject to change) |
Contact Ingleton Wood today
We can help you create your strongest bid possible to ensure the greatest chance of securing CIF funding for the next academic year.
Please get in touch if have any questions, queries or if you would like to discuss your CIF bids with our education specialists.
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