Condition Improvement Fund

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Condition Improvement Fund

Home | Services | Funding Support | 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 preparing high-quality, ‘no win, no fee’ bids to managing the delivery of projects once funding has been secured.

In the 2025/26 round, we secured:

0 %

of all successful CIF bids in Warwickshire

0 %

of all successful CIF bids in Leicestershire

0 %

of all successful CIF bids in Derbyshire

£ 0 m+

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

Frameworks & Accreditations

It's never too early to enquire about CIF bid support!

For the best chance of success, get in touch with us in Spring or Summer to discuss the upcoming CIF round. We strongly advise against reaching out after the guidance is released in October.

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.

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:

Application window opened: October 2025
Deadline for submissions: 16 December 2025 (midday)
Outcomes announced: May 2026 (expected)
Appeals: June-July 2026

What types of projects are funded?

CIF is primarily focused on condition and compliance. Typical successful projects include:

Roof replacements and building fabric repairs
Mechanical and electrical upgrades
Fire safety and safeguarding works
Structural and health and safety issues
Energy efficiency improvements

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.

What makes a successful CIF bid?

Successful bids typically:

Clearly evidence urgent condition need
Include robust technical surveys and reports
Demonstrate strong project planning and procurement
Align with DfE priorities (safety, compliance, sustainability)

Starting early and working with experienced advisers significantly improves success rates. For the best chance of success, we advise getting in touch with us in Spring or Summer to discuss the upcoming CIF round. We strongly advise against reaching out after the guidance is released in October.

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.