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WHAT IS THE CONDITION IMPROVEMENT FUND (CIF)?
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) supports projects that address compliance, health and safety issues and maintenance needs. Only projects that demonstrate a high project need and those that align with CIF priorities are likely to be successful.
CIF also supports a small proportion expansion projects for Ofsted-rated good or outstanding academies and sixth-form colleges that need to expand their existing facilities.
If you are a stand-alone academy or part of a MAT with less than 5 academies or less than 3,000 pupils, a sixth-form college or a non-diocesan voluntary-aided school, then you are eligible for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).
The fund is administered by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) which is part of the Department for Education (DfE).
The highest priority works are:
- Health and safety or safeguarding issues
- Emergency asbestos removal
- Fire safety works
- Leaking roofs, cladding and windows
- Heating and hot water systems
WHY USE US TO HELP SECURE YOUR FUNDING?
For academies with plans to improve their premises and create a safe, secure and positive learning environment for their pupils and teachers, we understand how difficult and time-consuming it can be for Bursars, Headteachers and Business Managers to allocate time aside to put together a bid for submission.
At RAM we can take away all of the stress, and leave staff to focus on their core activities, teaching! We have a proven track record and experience in writing bids and employ Chartered Building Surveyors to ensure every application is the best it can be. For this reason, our track record and success rates are much higher in comparison to other bid writers.
Our experienced team hold the varied qualifications to ensure a fully effective service, both during the application process and on award of the funding, ranging from Funding Specialists, Architectural Design Technicians, Chartered Surveyors, Principal Designers (Health and Safety) and Project Managers.
Advance planning is critical to ensure that all preliminary surveys, permissions, project tenders, supporting evidence and needs assessments are completed and the application written in time. RAM can provide a FREE site assessment to advise you on the best projects to bid for and guide you on the best strategy for submission.
You need to act now. Important dates for the 2024 to 2025 CIF round are likely to follow previous years.
In order to be successful, you must prepare high quality bids and it is essential academies start this process as soon as possible - it is important that you do not wait for the announcement.
| 19TH OCTOBER 2023 |
| Launch of CIF 2024-2025: Information for applicants published and online application window opens. |
| 7TH DECEMBER 2023 |
| Registration deadline for new applicants |
| 14TH DECEMBER 2023 |
| Deadline for applicants to submit applications with all supporting documents. |
| MAY 2024 |
| Applicants notified of outcome |
CIF's core priority is to support condition projects and the focus of the fund is to keep school and college buildings safe and in good working order.
In our experience, every academy should be looking to submit two CIF Bids per year unless you are in a very modern and well-maintained building. In order to prepare high quality bids, it is essential that academies start this process as soon as possible and in September/October at the latest
The works are prioritised as:
| HIGHEST PRIORITY - Legislation Compliance and Health & Safety – where there is a risk of school closure, including: | |
| HIGH PRIORITY - Life Expired Condition Replacement – where there is a risk of school closure, including: | |
| MEDIUM PRIORITY - Life Expired Condition Replacement, including: | |
