Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) is an annual bidding round for eligible Academies, Sixth-Form Colleges and Voluntary Aided (VA) Schools. 

The fund is available to address significant condition needs to aid keeping education providers’ buildings safe and in good working order. 

Who can apply for CIF?  

To be eligible to apply for CIF funding 2026-27, you must have been one of the following at the start of September 2025:  

• Stand-alone academy. 
• School in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with fewer than 5 schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils (MATs and VA bodies with 5 or more schools and at least 3,000 pupils and local authorities with maintained schools will receive School Condition Allocation (SCA) funding). 
• Voluntary Aided (VA) school in a VA body or VA group with fewer than 5 schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils. 
• Sixth-form college 
• School with a signed academy order as of 1 September 2025 that the department expects will convert by 1 April 2026. Voluntary Aided (VA) schools who meet the CIF eligibility requirements will be invited to apply for CIF. The governing bodies of VA schools will continue to pay at least 10% of the costs of any successful CIF project. 

What types of projects are successful in gaining CIF funding? 

Examples of typical successful projects are – 

• Fire Safety 

• Electrical Safety 

• Heating, Hot Water Systems and Heating Distribution 

• Safeguarding Compliance 

• Asbestos Removal 

• Roofing 

Can I apply for CIF funding myself? 

Yes, Academies and MATs can submit their own CIF bids. 

However, as RICS-qualified surveyors specialising in the education sector, we bring years of experience, and a proven approach designed to maximise the success rate of every bid we prepare. 

At AltMarkt Services Ltd, our support is always tailored to each client’s needs. 

For Academies already familiar with the CIF process, we can review your existing estate information and previous applications (both successful and unsuccessful) to identify areas for improvement. You will benefit from professional insight that complements your in-house expertise and provides an objective assessment of your current position. 

For those new to CIF bidding, our service can be fully comprehensive. We guide you through every stage of the process, from reviewing compliance with the DfE’s GEMs Guidance to advising on the evidence and documentation that will strengthen your application. 

Every Academy we work with is assigned a director-level contact who remains involved from start to finish, ensuring consistent support and clear communication throughout. 

 AltMarkt Services can take away all the stress of completing a CIF bid to vastly improve your chances of success. 

When do we apply for CIF? 

Typically, the DfE announces the opening of the CIF bidding round in October, with a deadline of mid-December and results generally announced the following Spring. 

For the 2026/2027 bidding round, The DfE announced that the deadline for uploading CIF bids is 12noon on Tuesday 16th December 2025.  

What are the top 5 things that could strengthen my CIF bid? 

When preparing a CIF application, five key elements can make a real difference to its success: 

1. Independent, expert technical advice 
   Ensure your project’s need is backed by professional evidence such as structural surveys, mechanical and electrical reports, or fire risk assessments, along with a clear interpretation of their findings.
   
   
2. A clear link to your Estate Strategy 
   Your documentation should show how the proposed project aligns with your overall estate plan and why it is a priority. For instance, does your Estate Strategy identify this project as a Year One priority rather than one scheduled for later years?
   
   
3. Demonstrating value for money 
   Show that you have carefully considered all potential options to address the issue and that your chosen proposal provides the best long-term, cost-effective solution with minimal disruption to your Academy. A costed Options Appraisal is key evidence to demonstrate this process. 
   
   
4. Financial contribution 
   If possible, contribute towards the project’s costs. Even a contribution of 5% or more than the total project value can earn additional marks and may make the difference between an unsuccessful and a winning bid.
   
   
5. Comprehensive supporting evidence 
   Evidence is critical. Every claim within your application should be supported by clear and relevant proof. For example, a safeguarding compliance project could include police crime reference numbers to support the case for improvement. 

What types of projects are most likely to succeed? 

Sadly, the condition of the school estates nationally has led to the CIF process being hugely oversubscribed. The last round of CIF funding (CIF 25/26) was allocated £470 million pounds, and 789 projects were successful.  

With this in mind, it is essential that all applications closely align with the fund’s key priorities. 

Highest Priority – Legislation Compliance and Health & Safety 

The most important part to note is that projects falling into this category must have a risk of school closure. 

Examples of project types – 

• Asbestos Removal 

• Gas Safety Issues 

• Electrical Safety Issues 

• Water Services and Drainage 

• Ventilation / Air Quality and Thermal Comfort 

• Fire Safety 

• Security and Safeguarding 

High Priority – Life Expired Condition Replacement 

Similar to highest priority, projects falling into this category must have a risk of school closure. 

Examples of project types: 

• Building Structure 

• Mechanical Systems 

• Electrical Systems 

• Utility Capacity and Connections 

Medium Priority – Life Expired Condition Replacement 

You will note an element of repetition when comparing medium priority projects with highest / high priority projects. The key difference is that if the need does not threaten school closure, it will often be deemed a medium priority. 

Examples of project types: 

• Internal or External Building Fabric 

• Building Structure Mechanical Systems 

• Water Services Drainage Ventilation / Air Quality 

• Thermal Comfort 

• Fire Safety 

• Security and Safeguarding 

If I engage AltMarkt Services, how much will a CIF bid cost? 

At AltMarkt Services, we operate on a no win, no fee basis. All professional fees are included within the CIF bid itself and are only recovered if the application is successful. 

If a bid is unsuccessful, there are no costs incurred. Instead, we will collaborate with you to review the feedback, identify areas for improvement, and advise on how to strengthen your evidence ahead of the next submission round. 

We take a long-term approach to every partnership, focusing on building and nurturing relationships over time. Even when outcomes are not as expected, we use the DfE’s feedback to refine our strategy and enhance your future chances of success. 

Fees included within the CIF application are scaled according to the size and complexity of each project. 

What is our success rate? 

For the previous CIF bid round – 2025/2026, we had an outstanding success rate of 80%. This resulted in us gaining a total of £2.8 million to support schools in our local region.  

Why use us? 

We understand the demands of running a busy school and the challenge of managing estates alongside everyday priorities. As RICS-qualified surveyors, we simplify the CIF process with clear, evidence-based advice that aligns your needs with the Department for Education’s guidance. Our goal is to take the pressure off your internal team, providing expert support that strengthens your bid and helps you secure vital funding with confidence. 

With over 15 years of industry experience, AltMarkt Services combines specialist knowledge with the personal approach of a small, dedicated consultancy. Our size is our strength – it allows us to build genuine relationships, stay closely involved in every project, and deliver tailored support that larger firms often cannot match. 

How do I organise a CIF Assessment with you? 

We would be delighted to take your enquiry. 

Please feel free to get in touch by using the contact form below or by calling the office on 01206 258852. 

Our dedicated Business Development Lead, Tracy – would be happy to listen to your enquiry, offer some initial advice, and discuss next steps.