Condition Improvement Fund
Condition Improvement Fund
Proven success in securing millions in CIF funding for schools year after year.
We are a leading CIF consultant in the Midlands with a specialist team of funding experts. Our expertise spans the entire process, from identifying suitable projects and preparing high-quality, ‘no win, no fee’ bids, through to managing the works once funding has been secured.
In the 2026/27 round, we secured:
of all successful CIF bids in Warwickshire
of all successful CIF bids in Leicester & Leicestershire
of all successful CIF bids in Derbyshire & Nottingham
of capital funding for our clients
Trusted routes to appoint us with ease and confidence.
For CIF 2027/28, the Department for Education (DfE) requires schools and trusts to clearly evidence how their technical advisers have been appointed, demonstrating compliance with the relevant procurement requirements.
Using an established procurement framework or Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) can provide an efficient route to appointing professional advisers, provided the relevant procurement procedures are followed.
YMD Boon is accessible through a range of established procurement routes, helping schools and trusts appoint our specialist team while meeting their procurement obligations.
Suggested Procurement Routes:
- Crescent Purchasing Consortium’s Estates and Facilities Professional Services (DPS)
- ESPO’s Framework 2664_22 – Property, Building & Infrastructure Advice and Management Services
- Bloom’s NEPRO³ Framework
- Procure Partnerships’ Professional Services Consultancy Framework
- Eastern Procurement
Frameworks & Accreditations
Start planning your next CIF application early
Successful CIF applications start long before the funding window opens. Early planning gives our team time to understand your estate, identify suitable projects, gather robust condition evidence and develop a strong case for investment.
This proactive approach also aligns with the DfE’s wider Education Estates Strategy, which places greater emphasis on understanding building condition, identifying priorities early and planning investment strategically rather than responding to issues as they arise.
The education estate landscape is changing
The DfE’s Education Estates Strategy sets out a new 10-year approach to managing, maintaining and improving school and college buildings, with greater emphasis on proactive estate management, robust condition data and long-term investment planning.
As part of these changes, the DfE plans to introduce a new capital maintenance programme by autumn 2028 to replace the Condition Improvement Fund. While CIF remains an important funding opportunity today, understanding your estate and planning future investment is becoming increasingly important.
Proud to work with
Frequently Asked Questions
Read our Condition Improvement Fund FAQs written by our funding experts for Academies, Trusts and Schools.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, our team is here to help. We are happy to talk through any aspect of the CIF bid process or requirements in more detail.
Need help? Contact Us
What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is a government capital funding programme for academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided schools. It supports projects that keep buildings safe, compliant and in good working order, alongside a limited number of expansion projects.
Is the Condition Improvement Fund being replaced?
The DfE’s Education Estates Strategy sets out plans to introduce a new capital maintenance programme by autumn 2028 to replace the Condition Improvement Fund.
Until the new programme is introduced, CIF remains an important funding route for eligible schools and academy trusts. We will continue to support clients with CIF applications while helping them understand and prepare for the wider changes to education estate management and funding.
Find out more about the Education Estates Strategy here.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Condition Improvement Fund is available to eligible academies, multi-academy trusts, voluntary aided schools and sixth-form colleges.
For CIF 2027/28, eligible applicants include:
- A stand-alone academy
- A small or medium multi-academy trust (MAT)
- A voluntary aided (VA) school or VA group
- A sixth-form college
Certain schools with signed academy orders that are expected to convert to an eligible responsible body by 1 April 2027.
Eligibility is determined using school and pupil information from September 2026 and the relevant Spring 2026 census or 2025/26 Individualised Learner Record (ILR).
Schools receiving School Condition Allocation (SCA) funding are not eligible for CIF in the same financial year. Different pupil-counting rules apply to some settings, including special and alternative provision schools.
What are the key CIF dates?
The key dates for the CIF 2027/28 funding round are:
Applications open: 21st October 2026
Deadline for new applicants to register for a CIF portal account: 30th November 2026
Application submission deadline:Â 15th December 2026
Funding outcomes announced: May 2027 (provisional)
Appeals: June-July 2027 (provisional)
All applications must be submitted through the CIF portal, along with the required supporting documentation, before the deadline.
What types of projects are funded?
CIF is primarily focused on condition and compliance. Typical successful projects include:
- Classroom building replacements
- Fire safety works
- Site security and safeguarding
- Structural repairs
- Boiler replacements
- Electrical upgrades
- Roof repairs
- Window replacements
- Expansion of successful schools
- Drainage improvements
- Asbestos removal
Is there anything that CIF will not fund?
CIF will not fund:
- Routine maintenance
- Retrospective costs
- ICT equipment (unless integral to a wider project)
- Loose furniture or standalone equipment
How competitive is CIF funding?
CIF is highly competitive, with funding typically oversubscribed each year. Strong technical evidence, a clearly defined project need and a realistic delivery strategy are essential to developing a competitive application.
Applications are assessed against three weighted criteria:
- Project need
- Project cost
- Project planning
How many projects can we submit?
Applicants can usually submit:
- Up to two projects per school or trust
- Only one of these can be an expansion project
What is required in a CIF application?
A strong CIF application must demonstrate a clear project need, supported by robust technical evidence, detailed costings and a realistic delivery plan.
For CIF 2027/28, applications must include:
A clear project rationale and evidence of urgency.
Up-to-date condition surveys and supporting technical reports.
Detailed project costings and a procurement strategy.
A bespoke, costed options appraisal demonstrating that alternative solutions have been considered.
A feasibility study and realistic project delivery programme.
Evidence of compliant technical adviser procurement, where applicable.
Do we need to appoint a technical adviser?
Appointing a technical adviser is not mandatory, but applicants must ensure that their project is supported by someone with the appropriate technical experience and qualifications.
For CIF 2027/28, the DfE has strengthened its requirements around evidencing the procurement of technical advisers. Schools and trusts must demonstrate a compliant procurement process, including how advisers were selected, the evaluation and scoring methodology, the rationale for their appointment and how value for money was achieved. This also applies to ‘no win, no fee’ arrangements.
Failure to adequately evidence a compliant procurement process may result in an application being disqualified.
YMD Boon has supported schools and trusts with CIF applications since the fund’s inception. As a RICS and RIBA Chartered Practice, our multidisciplinary team of architects, building surveyors and health and safety consultants provides end-to-end support, from initial condition assessments and evidence gathering through to funding applications and project delivery.
Do we need to use a procurement route?
The Department for Education (DfE) requires schools and trusts applying for CIF to clearly evidence their procurement route, showing how any professional advisors have been selected.
Using an approved framework or Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is the easiest and most compliant way to meet this requirement. Frameworks have been pre-vetted by the DfE and other public bodies, giving you confidence that consultants meet high standards.
By appointing YMD Boon through one of our approved frameworks, you can save time and ensure your CIF application fully aligns with DfE guidance, increasing your chances of a successful funding outcome.
What makes a successful CIF bid?
Successful CIF applications require strong technical evidence demonstrating the condition, urgency and impact of the proposed works, supported by detailed costings and a realistic delivery plan.
For CIF 2027/28, applicants must also provide a bespoke, costed options appraisal, demonstrating that alternative solutions have been considered and that the preferred approach offers an appropriate and cost-effective solution.
Identifying priorities early, maintaining accurate estate condition data and developing well-evidenced proposals can help schools and trusts prepare competitive applications.
This approach also aligns with the DfE’s wider Education Estates Strategy, which encourages responsible bodies to understand their estate, prioritise investment and plan maintenance strategically.
Find out more about the Education Estates Strategy here.
The Arden Forest C of E MAT has worked closely with YMD Boon over the past few years and that partnership has led to the successful completion of multiple projects, and the improvement of our estate. This year we are delighted by the success of our 25-26 Bids, and we are excited to see the positive impact these projects will have to our school communities.
Chief Operating Officer
Arden Forest C of E MAT
Having managed the process for us from funding application through to delivery, both projects were completed simultaneously with virtually no impact to our school community. We have been consistently impressed with YMD Boon’s diligence, commitment and attention to deal throughout the projects, and we can now look forward to enjoying a much improved facility here at our school.
Business Manager
Holywell Primary School
Let’s work together to bring your vision to life
No challenge is too big, small or complex for our team. Whether you’re planning a new project or looking for expert guidance to stay compliant, we'd love to hear from you.
Discover more about our practice in our brochures
6b Anson House, Compass Point Business Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire,
LE16 9HW
Ground Floor, Tottle Road, Nottingham,
NG2 1RT
Office 148a, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham, B24 9FD
Ground Floor Left, Building 3, Kingsley Office Park, West Central Business Park, Runcorn Road, Lincoln, LN6 3TA