CIF 2026/27 CIFApplication Window Now Open.
Do you have the data you need to make a successful application?
What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is an annual funding programme from the Department for Education (DfE) aimed at addressing significant condition needs in academies, sixth-form colleges, and voluntary-aided schools. CIF supports projects that tackle health and safety issues, building compliance, and poor building conditions.
Are you eligible for CIF funding?
To be eligible to apply for CIF funding, you must have been one of the following at the start of September 2025:
- Stand-alone academies
- School in a multi-academy trust (MAT) with fewer than five schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils as counted in the Spring 2025 census or 2024/25 Individualised Learner Record (ILR)
- Sixth-form colleges
- School with a signed academy order as of 1 September 2025 that the department expects will convert to a CIF-eligible responsible body by 1 April 2026.
- Voluntary Aided (VA) school in a VA body or VA group with fewer than five schools or fewer than 3,000 pupils as counted in the Spring 2025 census or 2024/25 ILR.
When can you apply?
The CIF 2026/27 online application window is now open. the deadline to submit your application with all supporting documents is 12:00 PM on 16 December 2025. Start gathering your data and documentation now to strengthen your application and maximise your chance of securing funding.
How can Sircle help
CIF guidance requires that applications include a condition survey conducted by an independent, suitably qualified professional. Sircle provides this independent assessment, helping strengthen your application.
Our qualified surveyors are experienced in carrying out a wide range of surveys, from detailed building condition assessments to MEP and fire compliance surveys, producing comprehensive reports tailored to support CIF applications.
Our Geomatics and Building surveys provide:
Measured Elevations Surveys
• Verticality Surveys
• Measured Building Surveys
• Schedule of Condition (SOC) Surveys
• M&E Asset and Lifecycle Surveys
• Drainage Surveys
• Utility Surveys
• Building Fabric Condition, or Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) Surveys
Our experienced fire safety and compliance team offer a range of audits and surveys to help support your application and achieve the safety of your occupants. We will ensure you remain compliant with legal legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2022, the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, and The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
These services include:
• Fire Risk Assessments
• Fire Door Condition Surveys/Compliance Surveys
• Post inspection audits for fire-stopping and fire door installations
• Active Fire Equipment Asset Surveys
• Fire Compartmentation and Passive Fire Surveys
• Window Condition Surveys
• Asbestos Re-Inspections
Upon completing the surveys/ inspections, we provide a clearly laid out report with supporting digital data dashboard outputs, enabling you to efficiently obtain the data you require for your CIF funding application without spending valuable time reading through pages and pages of material.
Project Management
If your application for funding is successful, our project management and contract administration team are on hand to help deliver your project on time, within budget and to the quality required.
Speak to us today to find out how our range of services can help you with your CIF funding application.
