Grant News

The Department for Education has announced the launch of the Post-16 and Construction Skills Capacity Fund.  The Fund offers capital investment to expand education and training capacity across England.

A total of £287 million is available for the period 2026 to 2030. This comprises £191 million for Post-16 Capacity Funding and £96 million for Construction Skills Capacity Funding.

Eligible applicants include further education colleges, sixth-form colleges, designated institutions and 16 to 19 academies located in non-devolved areas of England. School sixth forms and institutions educating pupils under 16 are not eligible.

Funding supports capital projects that increase learner places for students aged 16 and over, particularly in areas facing demographic growth and skills shortages. Construction funding prioritises facilities that expand training in trades and technical occupations linked to workforce demand. Previous rounds have supported workshop expansions, new teaching blocks, specialist construction training facilities, and refurbishment of underused space to create additional learner capacity.

Individual bids are typically expected to range from £250,000 to £5 million, subject to evidence of need and deliverability.

To access the application form applicants will need to register for an account. This needs to be done by 27 February 2026. 

The application deadline is 5pm on 17 April 2026.