The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) will be replaced by a new maintenance funding programme by autumn 2028, following a review by the Labour government in 2024.
This marks a significant shift in how capital maintenance funding will be accessed by standalone academies and smaller academy trusts. Here we look at the information we have regarding the change and what schools should be thinking about.
What is changing?
CIF has traditionally been the main route for standalone academies and small trusts (fewer than five schools) to apply for funding for essential condition works.
However, the system operates via a competitive annual bidding process. In 2024, just 35% of applicants were successful, despite £460 million being allocated nationally. For many schools, the process is time-intensive and uncertain.
The DfE has now stated that the CIF will be replaced with a new programme designed to make maintenance funding easier to access. Under the proposed system:
- Eligible responsible bodies will no longer need to submit full competitive bids.
- Funding decisions will be underpinned by more granular and timely estate data.
- Trusts and local authorities will collect their own data in line with common standards.
- This information will be shared directly with the DfE to inform allocations.
In short, the future model will be data-led rather than bid-led.
What this means for schools
While the new programme aims to simplify access to funding, it also places much greater emphasis on the quality and accuracy of estate data. Schools and trusts will need to undertake regular condition surveys, have up-to-date asset registers and have a clear asset management plan in place.
The days of producing a compelling written bid may be numbered, but the need for strategic estate management is only increasing.
2026 and 2027 bidding rounds
Importantly, CIF will continue to operate until it is replaced in autumn 2028. This means that the bidding rounds expected in December 2026 and December 2027 are likely to be the final two opportunities for schools to secure funding under the current competitive system.
For schools with known condition issues, this creates a clear and urgent timeline.
If you are considering submitting a CIF application before the programme ends, it is essential to:
- Identify priority projects now
- Commission condition surveys where required
- Develop clear project scopes
- Ensure compliance issues are documented
- Prepare early to strengthen your bid
Given the historic oversubscription of CIF, early preparation will be key to maximising the chances of success.
How Lea Hough’s School Building Consultants can help
The next two bidding rounds represent a crucial opportunity to secure capital funding for urgent roof replacements, heating systems, fire safety works, safeguarding improvements and other condition-related projects.
At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we have extensive experience supporting academies and trusts with:
- CIF bid preparation and technical submissions
- Condition surveys and estate assessments
- Asset management planning
- Lifecycle modelling
- Project delivery and compliance works
We understand both the technical and strategic aspects of education estate management. Our team can help you position your school or trust effectively; both for the remaining CIF rounds and for the transition to the new data-led funding model.
If you would like to discuss your estate strategy or potential CIF applications for 2026 or 2027, our education team would be pleased to advise. Get in touch here.
