Guidance

Apply for the trust capacity fund

Apply for funding to help multi-academy trusts develop their capacity and take on underperforming schools, particularly in education investment areas.

Applies to England

What the fund is

The trust capacity fund (TCaF) supports the growth of multi-academy trusts (MATs). It is for trusts which have had a growth project approved by a regional director.

We particularly encourage applications for funding which:

It is available to:

  • academy trusts
  • local authority-maintained schools forming a MAT

Trusts will be able to apply for the next round of funding between 1 March 2024 and 25 June 2024. Applications must be linked to a growth project approved from 1 January 2024 and we will also accept projects due to be heard at July advisory boards.

We have received a very high number of applications for windows 1 to 3. We expect this to reoccur in window 4. We want to remind applicants that TCaF is a competitive grant, and it is possible that even high quality applications may not be successful.

Lists of trust capacity fund award recipients from 2019 to 2023 are available.

How to apply

Before you apply for the trust capacity fund 2023 to 2025, read the:

To apply, complete the online application form.

Apply for the trust establishment and growth fund for funding to support the initial development of growth projects.

How we use your information

The privacy notice (PDF, 109 KB, 2 pages) covers the use of any information sent to us.

Published 6 September 2019
Last updated 1 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. 'Trust capacity fund 2023 to 2025: information for applicants', funding round information and the link to the online application form were updated.

  2. Added link to trust capacity fund award recipients for 2019 to 2023.

  3. We have reformatted the information on this page. Applications for the next round of funding will open on 1 November 2023.

  4. First published.