cifapplication.co.ukIndependent reference register
Section 46

46.CIF glossary

Plain-English glossary of the technical terms used across the CIF application process.
TermDefinition
CIFCondition Improvement Fund. The ESFA capital grant for academies, sixth-form colleges and VA schools to address condition need.[1]
ESFAEducation and Skills Funding Agency. The DfE executive agency that administers CIF.
DfEDepartment for Education. Publishes the CIF outcomes register.[3]
GEMSGood Estate Management for Schools. The DfE estate condition framework with A to D grades.[5]
CDC2The second Condition Data Collection programme, supplying centrally-held school condition data feeding GEMS.[6]
SCASchool Condition Allocation. The annual capital allocation paid to LAs and larger MATs in lieu of CIF.[7]
DFCDevolved Formula Capital. Small annual capital allocation paid to all schools regardless of CIF outcome.
RPARisk Protection Arrangement. The DfE alternative-to-insurance scheme covering insured-event damage.[8]
SALIXSalix Finance Limited. The body administering the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.[17]
PSDSPublic Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The low-carbon heat and energy programme administered by Salix.[9]
RAACReinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. Lightweight concrete identified in some school estates as a structural risk.[10]
CF25Common shorthand for the Crown Commercial Construction Professional Services framework (RM6232).[12]
Section 21Section 21 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, governing listed-building consent.
Procurement Act 2023The UK procurement regime governing public-sector regulated procurement, commenced 24 February 2025.[13]
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