Here is a summary of the key funding rounds available to education clients with key dates highlighted where published and latest news and announcements on T Level Capital Fund, Condition Improvement Fund, Energy Efficiency Funding, Further Education Capital Fund, SCA, Urgent Capital Support, LCVAP, Basic Need and Strategic School Improvement Fund.
1. T Level Capital Fund (TLCF)
T Levels are new technical study programmes 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:
• Specialist equipment allocation (SEA)
• Competitive buildings and facilities improvement grant (BFIG)
Key dates:
• Current round (2022/23): Open
• Closes: 11 March 12 noon
• Outcomes: July 2022
• Next round expected: December 2022
• You can read the guidance for TLCF here
2. Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)
The 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.
The 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.
CIF 2022/23 outcome is expected in Spring 2022.
Key dates
• CIF 2022/23: Closed
• Outcomes: Expected in Spring 2022
• CIF 2023/24: Expected to be announced in Autumn 2022
3. Energy Efficiency Funding
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)
Phase 2 of the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund was announced last year. The funding is for advice to develop energy strategies and decarbonisation plans. It is not funding for capital works such as LED lighting and Solar PV Panels. The last round closed in September 2021. Although no new dates for a round in 2022 have been published yet, this could be a valuable source of funding energy projects when it does become available.
Key dates
• Current round (2021/22): Closed
• Launch of next round (2022/23): Awaiting Announcement
Salix/SEEF
Salix, in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), works to reduce energy usage in individual academies, sixth form colleges, free schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) across England. Through the installation of energy efficient technologies, academies can lower energy bills and create a more comfortable learning environment.
The Salix Energy Efficiency Fund (SEEF) is available for all individual academies, academy sixth forms, free schools and those in Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).
Key dates
• Current round (2020/21): Closed
• Launch of next round (2022/23): Awaiting Announcement
Although no new dates for a round in 2022 have been published yet, this could be a valuable source of funding energy projects when it does become available.
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.
4. SCA (School Condition Allocations)
Eligible bodies (MATs) receive a formulaic allocation in lieu of CIF bids.
DfE notified academy trusts of their 2021/22 allocations on 27th April 2021.
The eligibility criteria are:
• Trusts with 5 or more open academies at the start of September 2019.
• Those open academies (or their predecessor schools) had at least 3,000 pupils counted in the spring 2019 census.
For nursery schools and sixth forms, DfE use the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) pupils rather than headcount. See Condition funding methodology for 2021 to 2022 [N4] 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.
5. 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:
• 2020/21 Stage 1 Application: Closed
• FE colleges notified of outcome: 14 May 2021
• Stage 2 submission deadline: 8 October 2021
• Next Round: Awaiting Announcement
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. LCVAP (Local Control Voluntary Aided Programme)
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 has now announced its intention to replace this scheme with the School Condition Allocation (SCA) system already in place for multi-academy trust bodies. See section 2 above for key announcements and dates.
9. Strategic school improvement fund – emergency funding
In the event of an emergency, DfE will consider applications to the Strategic School Improvement Fund – emergency funding to support an individual school, as opposed to a group of schools, if the supported school meets the eligibility criteria for emergency funding referenced on this page
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.