Is the feasibility fee CIF-eligible?
CIF does not fund the feasibility upfront. The trust carries the fee until award, when reasonable pre-construction costs can be recovered. Treat it as cashflow risk and ringfence the trust reserve before commissioning.
Verdict: amber
CIF Section C asks for a fundable cost narrative; the feasibility produces that narrative. The fee is a reasonable pre-construction cost recoverable from the CIF award if granted. If the bid is unsuccessful the trust carries the fee.
Pre-award vs post-award recovery
Pre-award: trust funds upfront. Post-award: typically claimable against the CIF capital allocation as a reasonable pre-construction cost, subject to ESFA approval and audit [source: CIF 2025-26 applicants' guide, verified 2026-06-24].
2026-27 timeline
Bid window opens autumn 2026, closes mid-December. Decisions issued spring 2027. Construction window normally completes by 31 March 2028.
Evidence the bid needs from feasibility
Section B: condition evidence dated within 12 months of submission, R&D2 asbestos register where relevant. Section C: fundable cost narrative at NRM1 Cost Plan A or above, programme, risk register, Section A trust governance evidence.