CIF Appeals Process 2025/26
The Condition Improvement Fund 2025/26 (CIF) is a vital source of capital funding for academies, sixth-form colleges, and voluntary-aided schools across England. With nearly £470 million allocated for the 2025-2026 round, competition is fierce, and unfortunately, not every deserving project can be funded. If your school’s application was unsuccessful, understanding the appeals process is crucial for determining your next steps.
CIF Appeals 2025/26 Deadline: Monday 23rd June 2025
What is the CIF Appeals Process?
The CIF appeals process allows schools to challenge the Department for Education’s (DfE) decision on their funding application. However, it’s important to understand that this process has strict limitations and specific criteria that must be met.
Securing the necessary funding for crucial infrastructure projects can prove to be a complex and competitive endeavour. Especially within educational settings where available resources are stretched thinly as it is. Fortunately, however, the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) and its appeals process have long provided schools with a beacon of hope. This scheme supplies financial support for academic institutions struggling to make necessary improvements to their facilities.
Being government-led, the scheme aims to allocate funding as fairly and efficiently as possible. There may be instances, however, when a school feels that their application may have been unfairly assessed or overlooked. In such cases, the appeals process serves as a vital avenue for those wishing to challenge this decision and outcome. It helps to ensure a fair evaluation of their project proposal and maximises their chances of securing much-needed funding. But how does this process actually work?
Who can apply for CIF?
Typically, any school, sixth-form or academy can apply for CIF funding, assuming they meet a select few criteria. Any academy trust with under 3,000 pupils and 5 schools is eligible for funding. Trusts with more than 5 schools, however, are eligible so long as the 3,000-pupil maximum is also met. Also, schools with a signed academy order for conversion can also apply, provided they convert by the following April. More information on these requirements can be found by clicking here.
What does the CIF Appeals process consist of?
If a bid is unsuccessful, applicants have the opportunity to enter the CIF appeals process. This allows applicants to challenge decisions made by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) regarding the allocation of funds. These appeals are only considered, however, if a clear error has been made in the assessment of a school’s application. For this reason, CIF appeals are typically only recommended for cases that are extremely close to the funding threshold. What’s more, if you haven’t already, it’s advised that you bring onboard a specialist to help you with this process.
Unfortunately, the appeals process isn’t an opportunity to add to your bid. Once it has been submitted, it cannot be changed.
Contact Us
If you want to submit an appeal, M&C can help. Our experienced CIF team will review your application outcome, assess the viability of your appeal, and guide you through the entire process. We understand the specific criteria that appeals must meet and can help you determine whether you have valid grounds for challenge before investing time and resources in the process.
For more information on how our specialists can support you with the CIF appeals process, get in touch! To reach our team, call us on 01245 326 200 or click here.