Updated: 5th June, 2024
Created: 28th September, 2022
Here is a summary of the key funding rounds available to education clients with key dates highlighted where published and latest news on announcements on
Condition Improvement Fund
SCA
Energy Efficiency Funding
Post 16 Capacity Fund
T Level Capital Fund
Further Education Capital Fund
Urgent Capital Support
VASCA
Basic Need
Strategic School Improvement Fund
Condition Improvement Fund is an annual bidding round for eligible academies and sixth-form colleges to apply for capital funding. The priority for the fund is to address significant condition need, keeping academy and sixth-form college buildings safe and in good working order. This includes funding projects to address health and safety issues, building compliance and poor building condition.
Condition Improvement Fund also supports a small proportion of expansion projects. These are for Ofsted-rated good or outstanding academies and sixth-form colleges that need to expand their existing facilities and/or floor space. If you wish to submit a new expansion project in the next round you should be starting to prepare your bid NOW.
The DfE has updated Information for eligible academy trusts. New information has been added on submissions for Urgent Capital Support, updated guidance and application form, and a new Trust financial template.
Key dates
CIF 2022/23 closed
Outcomes announced in May 2022
CIF 2023/24 expected to be announced in Autumn 2022
2.SCA (School Condition Allocations)
Eligible bodies (MATs) receive a formulaic allocation in lieu of CIF bids.
DfE notified academy trusts of their 2022/23 allocations in April 2022.
The eligibility criteria are:
For nursery schools and sixth forms, DfE use the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) pupils rather than headcount. See Condition funding methodology for 2022 to 2023 for more information.
Single academy trusts, smaller multi-academy trusts (MATs) and sixth-form colleges can apply for CIF instead of receiving an SCA. Those eligible for CIF will also be notified in the autumn.
Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund
The Government set up two new funds to deliver energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures through, Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF)
On 02 August 2022, Salix announced Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). This is the second phase of the PSDS Phase 3 scheme announced in September 2021 and follows a similar process.
The fund will focus primarily on the decarbonisation of heat. The application portal opens in September 2022
Key dates
Last round (2021/22): Closed
Alternative funding sources
If you have energy efficiency projects and seek funding you may wish to look at alternative funding options such as Less Is More Capital or Maxxia.
The Post-16 Capacity Fund has been introduced by the Department for Education to help meet the predicted increase in the 16–19 year old demographic.
Funding is available to support capital projects that provide:
Criteria for eligible post-16 institutions can be found in the guidance here.
Key dates
Current round (2023/24): Open
Submission Deadline: 11 November 2022
Outcome notification: Spring 2023
5. TLCF (T Level Capital Fund)
T Level is a new technical study programme that will sit alongside apprenticeships within a reformed skills training system. The aim of the TLCF is to help eligible further education providers have world class facilities for the delivery of T Level qualifications. There are two elements of the fund:
Key dates:
Current round (2022/23): Closed
Funding announcement: July 2022
Next round expected: December 2022
You can read the guidance for TLCF here
6. FECTF (Further Education Capital Transformation Fund)
The aim of the FECTF is to help eligible Further Education Colleges to upgrade their estates.
The funding applies to capital projects that address the condition need of building elements in the estate including rebuilding or remodelling, and expansion projects where the Further Education college is graded as Outstanding.
Full guidance for Further Education Capital Transformation Funding can be found here .
Key dates:
Next Round Awaiting Announcement
7. UCS (Urgent Capital Support)
Urgent Capital Support (UCS) is for academies and sixth-form colleges who do not have access to a SCA and require funding assistance to address urgent building condition issues that put at risk either the safety of pupils and staff, or threatens the closure of the whole, or a significant part of the school. This funding is open throughout the year. The DfE has updated Information for eligible academy trusts. New information has been added on submissions for Urgent Capital Support, updated guidance and application form, and a new Trust financial template.
8. Basic Need
Basic Need Allocation is the funding given to local authorities each year to help them fulfil their duty to make sure there are enough school places for children in their local area.
The allocations announced in 2021 will allow local authorities to create the new school places they need by September 2023.
All local authorities have also been allocated additional capital funding to invest in provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities through the special provision capital fund.
9. VASCA (Voluntary Aided School Condition Allocation)
Voluntary-aided (VA) schools are maintained schools and often, but not always, have a religious character. These schools used to be eligible for capital funding through the LCVAP process. The Government replaced this scheme with the School Condition Allocation (SCA) system already in place for multi academy trust bodies known as Voluntary Aided School Condition Allocation (VASCA). See section 2 above for key announcements and dates.
10. Bid Writing
We recommend academies and trusts start preparing for the next rounds of bidding as soon as possible. Please speak to Barker if you wish to discuss your projects or opportunities for funding. We have a knowledgeable team of professional advisors including RICS chartered surveyors and fully qualified APMP bid writers who can help compile an extensive bid meeting the guidance criteria to gain funding.