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.
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.
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.
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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?
You can apply if you are:
- A stand-alone academy
- A small or medium multi-academy trust (MAT)
- A voluntary aided (VA) school or VA group
- A sixth-form college
Eligibility is typically limited to organisations with fewer than 5 schools or under 3,000 pupils (with some exceptions).
If your organisation receives School Condition Allocation (SCA) funding, you will not be eligible for CIF in that year. You can find out more about SCA on our Funding Support page.
What are the key CIF dates?
For the 2026-27 round:
- Appeals: June-July 2026
For the 2027-28 round:
- Application window opened: October 2026
- Deadline for submissions: December 2026
- Outcomes announced: May 2027
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 and typically oversubscribed each year. Strong technical evidence and a clearly defined risk case are critical to success. Applications are assessed and ranked based on:
- Project need and urgency
- Quality of planning and evidence
- Value for money
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 application must include:
- A clear project rationale
- Up-to-date condition evidence (e.g. surveys, reports)
- Cost plans and procurement strategy
- Supporting documentation and professional input
Applications are submitted via the CIF portal and must clearly summarise the need and proposed solution.
Do we need to appoint a technical adviser?
Yes, appointing a suitably qualified technical adviser is now a critical part of a compliant and competitive CIF application. For 2026-27, applicants must:
- Demonstrate a compliant procurement process for appointing a technical adviser, or
- Show that the responsible person has appropriate qualifications and experience
A technical adviser plays a critical role in both bid success and project delivery. This includes identifying the most suitable project, preparing robust condition surveys and technical evidence, developing cost plans aligned with Department for Education expectations, and ensuring compliance with CIF eligibility and scoring criteria.
Poor-quality or insufficient technical input is one of the most common reasons bids are unsuccessful.
Working with an experienced consultant can significantly improve your chances of success. YMD Boon is a leading CIF consultant in the Midlands, supporting applications since the fund’s inception. As a RICS and RIBA Chartered Practice, with a multi-disciplinary team of architects, surveyors and construction consultants, we provide end-to-end support, from initial surveys and evidence gathering through to bid submission 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?
Strong CIF applications are supported by robust technical evidence that clearly demonstrates the condition, urgency and impact of the proposed works. Identifying these priorities early and maintaining accurate information about your estate can help build a stronger case for investment.
This evidence-led approach is also becoming increasingly important under the DfE’s Education Estates Strategy, which encourages Responsible Bodies to use accurate estate data to understand risk, prioritise maintenance and plan future capital investment.
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.
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