cifguideHandbook · 2026-27
Chapter 4 · Money
§04.01Grant sizing

Grant sizing.

The May 2026 outcomes show 871 projects funded for approximately £456 million. The mean lands close to £520,000 per project; the median is materially lower at around £200,000 to £250,000.

Compiled by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, founder, Digital Signet. Reviewed against ESFA Information for Applicants 2026-27 and the Condition Funding Methodology March 2026 revision.

§04.01.a

Average award

Round 13 mean was approximately £520,000 per project, pulled up by a long right tail of multi-million-pound awards. The median project award sits closer to £200,000 to £250,000 and is the more useful planning figure.

§04.01.b

Smallest awards

The £20,000 floor binds. Awards close to the floor are unusual; ESFA typically prefers larger consolidated bids over many small ones.

§04.01.c

Largest awards

Multi-million-pound awards exist for large condition consolidation or expansion projects but are exceptions, not the norm. The bid must justify scale through scope and evidence.

§04.01.d

Grant size by project type

Building safety bids are typically the largest by award value (RAAC, fire compartmentation). Condition bids cluster around the median. Compliance and small fabric bids cluster lower.

Edition refreshed 22 May 2026 · next refresh after Round 14 outcomes