What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?

The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is for eligible academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided (VA) schools who need to secure funding for primarily, condition related needs at their education settings. It’s an annual bidding process and successful applications secure the funding.

It is the priority for the Department for Education (DfE) to administer funds so that education provider buildings are safe and in good working order. That includes funding for projects that address health and safety issues such as structural safety, fire protection systems, gas safety, electrical safety or emergency asbestos removal. Beyond that they also give priority to projects that ensure weather tightness, and those related to ensuring continuous heating and water supply.

CIF also supports expansion projects, where Ofsted has rated the school or sixth-form college either good or outstanding, and where the education setting needs to expand their existing facilities and/or floor space to accommodate an increase of admissions or address overcrowding.

All CIF projects, whether condition or expansion related, must aim to improve a capital asset currently used for educational provision for pupils between the ages of 2 and 19 years.

For further guidance on the Conditional Improvement Fund, visit the Gov.uk site.

How can ECP help with CIF bids?

Navigating the Condition Improvement Fund bidding process takes skill and experience, something we have at ECP. We like to partner with the schools and academies we work with for the entire bid process. We offer our expertise and time at no upfront cost, and we become stakeholders in the process.

Our bids are partner-led from start to finish, ensuring continuity of the information and presentation in supporting documents. There are many aspects to take into account in the preparation of a bid, and as both Chartered Surveyors and Architects, at ECP we have the broad in-house skillset to assist with bids of all sizes.

For more information on our approach, take a read of our blog – Navigating the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for Successful Funding Bids.

Or contact us directly by visiting our Contact Us page,and we’ll be in touch.