The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2026-27 is now open, and competition for capital funding will be fierce. Charles Garth is helping academy trusts, primary and secondary schools, voluntary aided schools, diocesan education teams and sixth-form colleges get ahead with free CIF assessments to strengthen their bids and identify priority projects early.
This Department for Education (DfE) funding is a vital opportunity to secure investment for essential improvements that keep school and college buildings in safe, good working order, so they are compliant and fit for learning. Whether you manage one site or a multi-academy trust, we can help you navigate every step of your CIF application.
Get ready for CIF 2026-27 with a free CIF assessment
CIF funding applications close at 12pm on 16 December 2025. Schools that start preparing now will be best placed for success. Our team of Chartered Building Surveyors supports trusts through every stage, from evidence gathering to submission, ensuring bids are clear, compliant and backed by solid data.
What the Condition Improvement Fund covers
CIF funding addresses essential condition, safety and compliance issues that schools cannot cover through annual maintenance budgets. Typical projects include roof, window replacements, electrical upgrades, fire-safety works, heating and ventilation improvements, emergency asbestos removal, safeguarding infrastructure and urgent structural repairs.
Expansion projects may also be considered for Good or Outstanding schools that can show a clear need for additional pupil places. Projects must show value for money and support the DfE’s goal of keeping buildings safe and operational.
Why early preparation & expert support matters
The condition improvement fund is highly competitive, with only around one-third of bids successful each year. The difference between approval and rejection often comes down to how well-prepared, detailed and evidence-based your submission is, and how well applications can demonstrates value for money.
Charles Garth can advise academy trusts on how to build strong, evidenced, data-driven bids that meet DfE scoring criteria and demonstrate clear project need for the highest priority works. Over the last decade, we’ve helped academy trusts achieve funding for safeguarding infrastructure, fire safety, roof renewals, heating and electrical upgrades, and upgrades to facilities and window replacements that eliminate critical safety issues and prevent costly disruption. From initial surveys to cost management programmes, and risk and compliance assessments, we prepare all evidence required for a strong and comprehensive application.
CIF applications are assessed against three areas:
- Project Need: carrying the biggest weight in terms of bid success, need focuses on urgency, risk and impact of the works
- Project Planning: looks at feasibility, deliverability and readiness to start
- Project Cost measures value for money and responsible budgeting
With each CIF bid submission allocated just 8 minutes to be marked by DfE assessors, clarity and structure is critical. Our experienced team helps schools evidence every section directly and consistently, using accurate data and cost information.
We learn from every bid. Where feedback is provided, we review it carefully, share insights with our clients and apply those lessons learned to strengthen future applications. This continual learning ensures each new submission is sharper, more focused and more competitive.
Our success record reflects a clear understanding of CIF priorities and how assessors score each category. You’ll work with Chartered Building Surveyors and funding specialists who work together to produce clear, compliant and competitive bids.
How we support you to achieve successful CIF bids
Step one: clear assessment
We start with a free appraisal of your building fabric and M&E systems to identify and prioritise works that meet DfE eligibility criteria. This gives you a focused, evidence-based starting point for your CIF application.
Step two: detailed preparation
Our Chartered Building Surveyors manage the full application process, from scoping and cost planning to collating supporting documentation and recording evidence. We identify priority projects early, define a strategy and tailor each submission for maximum impact, ensuring every submission is fully tailored to your needs, compliant, complete, and aligned with DfE priorities.
Step three: confident submission
We present assessors with clear, risk-managed project plans that show how the work will be delivered safely, efficiently, and on time. If you’ve applied before, we can also review past failed bids to strengthen resubmissions and improve your chance of success.
Step four: stress-free success
As your trusted partner, our team handles the technical details so you can stay focused on running your school. We maintain a high success rate because we understand how CIF bids are scored and what evidence carries weight, learning from every prior submission to better inform your bid.
How much funding is available?
CIF funds a wide range of capital projects across school and college buildings, from essential safety works to large-scale building fabric replacement.
- For primary and special schools, the minimum project value is £20,000, rising to a maximum of £4 million.
- For secondary, all-through schools and sixth-form colleges, projects must start from £50,000, with the same £4 million upper limit.
These thresholds ensure that funding is directed towards significant conditions and compliance works that make a measurable difference to keeping buildings safe and fit for learning.
Key dates for CIF funding 2026-27
The annual bidding round opened on 21 October 2025. The deadline to register for a new applicant CIF portal account is 9 December 2025 at 12pm, and the final deadline to submit applications with evidence is 16 December 2025 at 12pm. Outcomes are expected in May 2026, with appeals in June and July.
Get ready for CIF 2026-27 with a free CIF assessment
The CIF 2026-27 window is short and competition is high. Acting now means your trust can secure the right evidence, prepare early and submit a confident, well-supported bid.
Contact us to book your free consultation today and start planning a safer, stronger future for your school estate.
Call 0345 340 3919 or email admin@charlesgarth.com to get started.
Charles Garth supports schools, academy trusts, colleges and trusts across the UK to plan, fund and deliver safe, future-ready learning environments. Every project is director-led, evidence-based and delivered with integrity by a RICS accredited building consultancy team.
Schools can check whether their projects are eligible and get detailed advice on how to apply for the fund through the Department for Education’s Condition Improvement Fund: guidance for schools. The DfE’s online ASSIST portal also includes guidance on assessing health, safety and compliance risks before submitting a CIF application.
