What's new for CIF 2023-24

October 19, 2022 Adam Richards

Applications for the new round of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) to improve school buildings have just opened, and there are a few changes from last year.

The CIF provides government money for projects to keep school, academy and college buildings safe and in good working order. It is intended to address significant condition need, with the highest priority going to those tackling:

structural safety
fire protection systems
gas and electrical safety
emergency asbestos removal.

In the previous 2022-2023 round, £498 million was allocated for 1,405 projects at 1,129 institutions.

But the Department for Education (DfE) warns: “Please remember: not everyone will be successful even if you provide a high-quality bid. On average only around a third of applications are successful each year.”

In contrast, Surveyors to Education (S2e)’s success rate for clients is an outstanding 85%.

Engaging qualified chartered surveyors for education such as S2e can give your bid the very best chance of securing the funding your school needs.

New for CIF 2023-24

New Priority Project Type – critical replacement of coal and oil boilers with low-carbon heating systems
The CIF’s new Priority Project Type will include projects for replacing expired oil and coal boilers with low-carbon alternatives to prevent school closure.
Please note: Project Need is still the most important element for assessment, and the DfE will continue to prioritise projects which demonstrate high condition need.
Options appraisal
Where academies set out different options for achieving their project goals, appraisal should include consideration of a zero/low carbon/sustainable replacement option.
Environmental sustainability/energy efficiency across the school estate
The Environmental Sustainability statement criterion has been updated, and academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) must now prove that they have performed, or will be performing, works that lead to greater environmental sustainability within the CIF project or elsewhere across their estate.
Ventilation
Academies must consider the adverse impact on broader ventilation from their CIF project.

Who can apply?

As in previous years, schools can either attract direct School Condition Allocations (SCA, allocated to MATs and Voluntary Aided (VA) bodies with five or more schools and at least 3,000 pupils) or be eligible for CIF, but not both.

To be eligible to apply for CIF funding, you must have been by 1 September 2022 either a:

Stand-alone academy
School in a MAT with fewer than five schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils
School in a VA body or VA group with fewer than five schools or 3,000 pupils
Sixth-form college
School with a signed academy order as of 1 September 2022 that the Department for Education expects will convert by 1 April 2023.

CIF also supports a small number of schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted and needing to expand their facilities to increase admissions or prevent overcrowding.

Project value

Minimum project funding threshold is £20,000 for primary and £50,000 for secondary schools. Maximum is £4 million for both.

High-value projects with a total value of £1m or more will need to provide detailed extra information (such as tender returns, planning evidence, updated project programmes or detailed cost plans) after winning initial approval.

How to prepare a winning application

The regulations around CIF funding are complex, and making an application can be a daunting process. For the best chance of success it is therefore advisable to seek professional support. S2e can advise on all aspects.

Read our Tips for preparing a good CIF application blog here.

Key dates

Deadline for new applicants to register for an account: 12 noon, 1 December 2022
Deadline for all applicants to submit applications with all supporting documents: 12 noon, 7 December 2022
Applicants notified of outcome: May 2023 (at the earliest)

The majority of funds will be allocated for projects that complete by 31 March 2024. Larger projects may last up to two years, but all projects must complete by 31 March 2025.