Improve your chance of CIF funding approval

Single academies, small multi academy trusts and sixth form colleges can apply for government backed condition improvement funding (CIF), for building repair, renovation and expansion works. Find out more about CIF and see how our surveyors can improve your chances of CIF funding approval… 

What is CIF funding? 

CIF stands for condition improvement fund (CIF). It is a government backed fund that is administered by the Education Funding agency (EFA) for academies and sixth form colleges with plans to improve their premises.

The need to improve school buildings can arise from health and safety concerns, managed maintenance and improvement plans, expansions or security matters.  

Is my school eligible for CIF funding?

If your education facility needs repair, renovation or expansion works, and you are a single academy, part of a small multi academy trust (MAT) or a sixth Form College, then you can submit a bid for CIF.

For other types of schools, further funding is available. Visit www.gov.uk for the latest information.

What kind of works are covered by CIF?

The highest priority works are those that address compliance and health and safety issues. These include, fire protection systems, gas safety, electrical safety or emergency asbestos removal. Second to that, projects that ensure weather tight building and continuous heating and water supply will be assessed.

Expansion projects are supported for academies and sixth form colleges that Ofsted has rated good or outstanding that need to expand their facilities and/or floor space to either increase admissions or address overcrowding.

How can Kempton Carr Croft improve your chances of CIF funding approval? 

Following an initial discussion regarding your plans for school building improvements or any concerns that you may have relating to the condition of school buildings, we can:

• Conduct a thorough survey of all areas and report our initial findings to give you a complete understanding of the overall health and safety of the buildings on your site. 
• Provide detailed costings and specifications for any remedial works required for any areas of concern, particularly relating to health and safety, breaches to current regulations and areas that have reached the end of their lifecycle, along with a summary of actions, planned maintenance or replacement projects needed to resolve them.
• This detailed information will ensure you apply for the correct level of funding needed to complete the works. 
• Draft a bid in a format that supports the weighted assessment criteria of project need, project planning and project cost as well as being able to demonstate a high project need by using the correct terminology.
• Ensure correct categorisation of bid submission to prevent rejection by the DfE.
• Project manage any resulting building works, contractors and award tenders for works. 

What can CIF funding be used for?

CIF projects must aim to improve a capital asset held in freehold or on a long lease for education provision for pupils between 2-19 years old. You cannot use CIF funding to purchase land.

How much funding can be applied for via CIF bids?

The minimum project threshold is £20,000 for Primary and special schools, £50,000 for Secondary and sixth form colleges, with a maximum threshold of £4,000,000 for each.

How are CIF bids awarded?

There are 3 categories of CIF project: condition, condition with expansion, and expansion.  Projects may be re-categorised by the DfE if they do not meet the qualification criteria for the selected category.  

Project bids will be scored against 3 weighted assessment criteria:  

• project need 60%
• project planning 15%
• project cost 25%

A CIF application will be either fully funded or unsuccessful. It will not fund part of the proposed works within an application and retrospective projects will not be funded. 

Where can I find more information?

Visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-improvement-fund for all the information availble regarding the CIF process, including timings and bid submissions. 

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Need advice or services? 

If your education facility is eligable for CIF funding and you would like to discuss the process or book an initial site survey, our building surveying team have experienced Surveyors that can help you. Simply fill out our contact form and a member of the team will be in touch.