Our Services: CIF Bid Service

We are one of the leading CIF Bid service providers in the South and South-East of England.

We have an outstanding track record of obtaining Condition Improvement Funding for schools, stand-alone academies and multi-academy trusts to support them in keeping their educational buildings safe and in good working order.

Synergy Partner and CIF Bid specialist Declan Gleeson explains why you should submit a CIF bid and how Synergy can help prepare a wining submission with these 5 steps to CIF success.

With increasing competition and rising qualifying thresholds, obtaining the advice of a professional team with proven success is one way to make sure your application stands out and can significantly improve potential outcomes.

Our experience in preparing CIF Bids has resulted in the development of an efficient and effective template, which is tailored to individual schools. This allows you to focus on the day job whilst at the same time increasing your chances of securing funding.

We have supported our school clients with a variety of bids including:

Boiler Replacement; Safeguarding; Pipework; Electrical rewiring; Roof repairs and replacement; Asbestos Removal; Ceilings and Lighting; Window Replacement; Expansion Projects; Fire Safety Works; Block Replacement; Toilet Refurbishment; Cladding Replacement

“Synergy have helped the school with their CIF bids since 2012, and we have been incredibly successful with our bids during this time. I have been impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the whole team at Synergy, and they have produced attractive and innovative designs that have transformed the school site. Synergy care passionately about the projects and will go the extra mile when managing the developments, and they work tirelessly to ensure that the school gets the best possible solution for the best value for money”

Kevin Thorold, Assistant Head Teacher – Watford Grammar School for Boys

So why choose Synergy?

Long established consultancy with proven track record
Experts in education
Over £160 million secured so far
Partner Led service
In most cases, we will prepare your CIF Bid for FREE

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Frequently asked questions about CIF Bid Service

What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?
When is the CIF bid application deadline?
What is the CIF policy criteria?
How can we strengthen our CIF bid?
Should our school make a contribution towards a CIF funded project?
How much time should we allow for our CIF bid?
What should we do if we are unsuccessful in our CIF bid?

1. What is the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)?

The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is an annual bidding round for eligible academies and sixth-form colleges to apply for capital funding.

Funding is available to deal with school building condition items to ensure they remain safe and in good working order. This includes projects to rectify health and safety concerns, issues with building compliance and poor building condition.

CIF also supports a small proportion of expansion projects. These are for academies and sixth-form colleges rated good or outstanding by Ofsted that can demonstrate a need to expand.

2. When is the CIF bid application deadline?

The latest round of funding closed in December 2024. Outcomes of this round were announced in May 2025.

The next round of funding is likely to open in October 2025.

3. What is the CIF policy criteria?

Every year the Department for Schools and Education update their guidance document and this information is crucial for your bid selection and preparation. If your bid does not closely align with the CIF policy criteria/priorities then it is unlikely that it will be successful.

It is therefore essential to thoroughly review the guidance before jumping straight into bid preparation!

4. How can we strengthen our CIF bid?

The provision of compelling evidence is critical and greatly strengthens your bid. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words and images can clearly illustrate the issue and impact on the school.

Independent evidence such as condition surveys, asbestos reports, cost breakdown records, energy bills, user statements, records of interruptions to teaching and learning (the list goes on), all emphasize the issues your school is dealing with until funding is secured.

Finally, don’t forget your options appraisal, contractor’s prices and delivery programmes which support your preferred solution.

5. Should our school make a contribution towards a CIF funded project?

Your CIF bid will score maximum marks in this section if there is a significant (and affordable) contribution. This can be through a school contribution or through a CIF loan.

The funding sources score is calculated by adding the value of any CIF loan requested to the value of any school contribution and the combined value generates a score. However although a higher score can add to the success of your bid, the overriding element of any application is project need,

6. How much time should we allow for our CIF bid?

Too often we get contacted by a school that has left their bid to the last minute. Allowing enough time is critical with bid preparation. The amount of work required to prepare the bid and the supporting information is extensive and should not be underestimated. Consider utilising the services of an expert CIF bid Consultant to put together the documents for you.

The earlier a consultant such as Synergy is involved the sooner you can collect the key evidence to support the bid(s). There are other advantages with early engagement of your CIF bid consultant; surveys and contractor visits can take place over the holiday period minimising disruption to the day-to-day running of the school and allow unrestricted access to investigate the issues.

7. What should we do if we are unsuccessful in our CIF bid?

Don’t give up – get advice. In the latest Condition Improvement Fund round many bids nationwide were unsuccessful. If your bid was unsuccessful in the last round, request feedback and speak to us.

Synergy has helped many schools successfully appeal outcomes, and has assisted schools with resubmitting bids which have been successful in a subsequent bid round.