The 60/25/15 weighting.
Three weighted criteria. Each scored out of 10. The weighted total out of 100 determines the comparative rank against other bids in the round. The funded threshold moves cycle-to-cycle with applicant volume.
Compiled by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, founder, Digital Signet. Reviewed against ESFA Information for Applicants 2026-27 and the Condition Funding Methodology March 2026 revision.
CIF bids are scored on three weighted criteria: Project Need (60%), Project Cost (25%), and Project Planning (15%). Each is scored 0-10; the weighted total is out of 100. The May 2026 round funded bids above an indicative threshold of approximately 72 of 100, with 871 projects funded.
Why the weighting is structured this way
Project Need is weighted highest because the policy purpose of CIF is to address evidenced condition and safety risk, not to fund well-managed business cases without an underlying need.
The funded threshold
ESFA does not publish a fixed funded score. The threshold is the score at which the available cycle budget is exhausted. In the May 2026 outcomes the threshold landed near 72 of 100. In some prior cycles it has been lower.
Moderation
Two assessors score each bid independently. Where the scores diverge significantly the bid is moderated. Final scores are signed off centrally.
Score versus award
A score above the funded threshold is necessary but not sufficient. Where two bids score identically against a constrained sub-budget (regional, project-type, value-band), the award decision moves to the moderating panel.