School feasibility study funding routes
Which funding route pays for the feasibility, when, and on what conditions. Green means upfront, amber means recoverable post-award, red means not eligible. Every verdict carries its rule reference.
Condition Improvement Fund - amber, recoverable post-award.
School Rebuilding Programme - green from Cohort 4.
School Condition Allocation - green for large MATs and LAs.
Voluntary Aided Programme - amber, 10% diocesan contribution.
DfE 2026-2030 programme - green, structured to fund pre-construction.
Quick compare
CIF: amber (recoverable post-award). SRP: green (DfE-funded from Cohort 4). SCA: green (large MAT / LA block). VAP: amber (10% diocesan contribution). R&R: green (structured to fund pre-construction). Self-funded: green (trust controls).
When can the trust recover costs
CIF and VAP fees are typically recoverable from the award itself once granted; SRP and R&R fees are typically paid direct by DfE; SCA fees are at the body's discretion.
2026-27 round timelines
CIF: bid window autumn 2026, decisions spring 2027. SRP: rolling cohort selection. R&R: first allocations 2026-27. VAP: bid window autumn 2026.
Scotland and Wales equivalents
The five routes above are the English DfE menu. Scottish and Welsh schools work through the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP, Scotland) and Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL, Wales) respectively - both pay feasibility upfront inside the capital intervention rate rather than reimbursing post-award. Full cross-jurisdiction comparison: England vs Scotland vs Wales.