Introduction and background
The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) is launching the Post-16 Capital Investment Programme. The funding has been devolved to the DTCCA by the Department for Education (DfE).
The programme is being delivered against a backdrop of significant demographic growth in the 16 to 19 population across Devon and Torbay. Current forecasts indicate growth of approximately 1,595 additional post-16 learners across the region between 2024 and 2030.
Purpose
The Post-16 Capital Investment Programme is a £9.3million fund to support the expansion and improvement of post-16 education and training capacity across Devon and Torbay between 2026 and 2030.
In addition to responding to demographic growth, the programme is intended to support:
- improved participation in education and training;
- reduction in NEET levels and disengagement;
- improved accessibility to provision, particularly for those with additional needs or barriers to learning;
- progression into employment, apprenticeships and higher-level skills;
- and delivery of provision aligned to local economic priorities.
Funding through the programme must be used for capital expenditure which directly contributes to the creation or improvement of post-16 education and training capacity. This includes teaching accommodation, specialist facilities, outreach infrastructure and associated learning environments required to support additional learner participation.
Who can apply?
The current funding and accountability arrangements for the programme require all applications to be led by an eligible further education college provider able to act as the accountable body for the proposed investment and associated delivery arrangements.
As a result, the following organisations are eligible to act as lead applicants through this programme:
- Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group
- South Devon College
- Cornwall College.
Partnership projects are strongly encouraged, particularly involving:
- Schools, academies and sixth forms
- Independent Training Providers
- community organisations.
- Funding allocation
A total of £9,326,925 capital funding is available through the Devon and Torbay Post-16 Capital Investment Programme for the period 2026 to 2030.
In line with the Authority’s evidence-led approach, the programme has been structured around four broad strategic investment areas:
- Exeter and Wider Travel-to-Learn Area (including Exeter, East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon)
- North Devon and Torridge
- Torbay
- Rural and Coastal (including South Hams, West Devon and wider rural and coastal communities)
Reflecting forecast learner growth, participation pressures and accessibility challenges across Devon and Torbay.
- Assessment criteria
All applications will be assessed through a structured and competitive process. Demand is expected to exceed the available funding available through the programme and not all applications will be successful.
Projects will be assessed against three core criteria:
- Strategic Need and Participation Impact – 60%
- Deliverability – 20%
- Value for Money – 20%
The weighting of these criteria reflects the primary purpose of the programme, which is to increase post-16 learner capacity, accessibility and participation where this is most needed across Devon and Torbay.
- Bidding process and timetable
The programme launched on the 17 September 2026 which marks the start of the application period. The application deadline is the 18 October 2026. Applications must be submitted in full by the stated deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Following the deadline, applications will be subject to an initial compliance check to ensure that they meet the basic eligibility and submission requirements. Compliant applications will then proceed to detailed assessment against the published criteria.
The assessment and moderation process will take place between October and November 2026. This will include scoring by an officer panel, followed by moderation to ensure consistency and to consider applications in the round.
Funding decisions are expected to be confirmed in November 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in writing. Successful projects will then move into a mobilisation phase from spring 2027, including the finalisation of funding agreements and confirmation of delivery arrangements.
- How to submit your application
Please download the following documents below:
- Guidance document
- Business case template
- Expenditure profile
All business cases need to be submitted along with the expenditure profile to dtcca.admin@devon.gov.uk by 18 October 2026.
- Further information and support
DTCCA will provide further information and support to applicants throughout the bidding process to ensure that proposals are aligned with the requirements of the programme.
Applicants may submit clarification questions and wider queries during the application window. All enquiries relating to this funding round should be directed to dtcca.admin@devon.gov.uk.