Funding Round 1 Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 15 October 2026

1. Funding availability. Funding Round 1 is subject to the funding available. Applications close at midnight at the end of 13 December 2026, UK time (00:00 GMT on 14 December 2026). Applications received after that point will not be accepted. Applications are assessed after the round closes. Submitting an application or meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding.
2. Eligibility. Applicants must meet the published eligibility requirements. CSTF may request information or evidence reasonably necessary to assess eligibility. Applicants claiming PDS2 or DSC2 must provide proof of their qualification with their application. Other qualifications require individual assessment and do not automatically qualify an applicant for the advanced route.
3. Application information. Applications must be complete and accurate. Applicants must notify CSTF of material changes affecting their application or award. If an application needs correcting after submission, contact CSTF and quote the application reference.
4. Purpose of funding. Funding supports eligible training where financial assistance makes a meaningful difference to the applicant’s ability to undertake that training.
5. Funding scope and candidate costs. Level 1 funding covers 50% of the approved online theory fee, including applicable VAT. The candidate pays the remaining 50%. Practical assessment is paid separately and entirely by the candidate. The normal fee must be agreed in advance with the Approved Verifier. It may vary by area but must not exceed £100, plus applicable VAT only where the assessor is VAT registered. CSTF funding does not cover this practical assessment fee. Level 3 funding covers 100% of the approved qualification fee.
6. No retrospective funding. Applicants must not enrol, pay for or begin the training for which funding is sought before CSTF confirms the award in writing. Funding is not available retrospectively for that training if it has already been enrolled in, paid for, started or completed.
7. Written awards. An award is confirmed in writing. The award notification will identify the approved training, participating training provider, amount funded, fees covered and any acceptance, enrolment or use deadlines. Applicants should seek clarification before accepting an award if anything is unclear. Individual award conditions supplement these terms; they do not automatically override them.
8. Enrolment period. Successful applicants must enrol with the participating training provider within 30 calendar days of receiving their written award. CSTF may agree an extension in writing. This enrolment period is separate from any course-completion deadline set by the participating training provider.
9. Enrolment and payment. Successful applicants receive instructions explaining how to enrol directly with the participating training provider. CSTF provides the provider with the award confirmation and pays the funding to the provider under the agreed arrangements. Awards are personal to the successful applicant and cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.
10. Training and qualifications. Applicants must satisfy the provider’s entry requirements and accept its applicable enrolment and course terms. A funding award does not guarantee admission, successful course completion or a qualification. CSTF provides funding support; it does not deliver training or award qualifications. This does not exclude any responsibility CSTF has under law or an agreed award.
11. Withdrawal, cancellation and unused funding. Applicants must notify CSTF promptly if they cannot take up or continue the funded training. Unused funding may be released for other applicants. Any provider cancellation charges or refund arrangements are governed by the applicable provider terms and agreed funding arrangements; these terms do not create an automatic obligation for an applicant to repay CSTF.
12. Withdrawal of an award. CSTF may withdraw an award where materially inaccurate or misleading information has been provided, the applicant no longer meets a relevant eligibility requirement, or there is a material breach of the award conditions. Where practicable, CSTF will explain the concern and give the applicant a reasonable opportunity to respond before making a final decision.
13. Questions and factual corrections. Applicants may contact CSTF about an error or concern relating to their application or award. CSTF will consider relevant information provided. This does not guarantee a different decision or create an entitlement to funding.
14. Changes and future rounds. CSTF may make reasonable changes to arrangements for applications not yet awarded, including where funding availability changes. Relevant changes will be published or communicated to affected applicants. Changes to published arrangements do not automatically alter an award already accepted. Receipt of funding creates no entitlement to funding in a future round.
15. Personal information. Personal information is handled as explained in the Privacy Notice.

Related pages

Round 1 guidance · Eligibility · Terms of use · Privacy notice