About cifguide.
cifguide is one of a small portfolio of reference handbooks for the UK academy and capital sector built by Digital Signet. The other handbooks cover bid-writing (cifbid.co.uk) and day-to-day bursar reference (bursarsdesk.co.uk).
Compiled by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, founder, Digital Signet. Reviewed against ESFA Information for Applicants 2026-27 and the Condition Funding Methodology March 2026 revision.
Who runs the site
cifguide is published by Digital Signet, a small independent publisher of reference handbooks in regulated and technical sectors. The named editor is Oliver Wakefield-Smith.
Sister handbooks
cifbid.co.uk covers the bid-writing reference desk. bursarsdesk.co.uk covers day-to-day academy finance. The handbooks cross-reference rather than duplicate.
Affiliation
Not affiliated with ESFA, DfE or HM Government. Not affiliated with any CIF bid-writing consultancy. No commercial relationship with any vendor named on the site.
Contact for corrections
Corrections are welcomed. Contact the editor via the Digital Signet website. Substantive corrections appear in the next changelog entry with the original prior wording recorded.