MCA Decarbonisation Grants — frequently asked questions
Which UK MCAs run decarbonisation grants open to FE colleges?
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, North East Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, and the GLA (London). Tees Valley and East Midlands have more limited grant routes.
How do MCA grants combine with Salix and PSDS?
MCA grants have often been available alongside other capital, but whether a particular pot can be combined with other funding depends on its conditions. Check each pot rules, and note that PSDS Phase 4 is closed and no Salix scheme is open for England (20 October 2026).
What is the typical MCA grant value?
Varies by combined authority and round. Some are small pots for specific use cases (public-sector building decarbonisation, green skills capital, just-transition cluster funding); check the authority current programme.
Do MCA grants have specific eligibility criteria beyond geographic?
Yes — each MCA pot has its own eligibility criteria. Common requirements: institution must be inside the MCA boundary; project must deliver verifiable carbon savings; learner-impact narrative must demonstrate skills or curriculum outcomes; corporation board commitment must be evidenced.
How long do MCA application rounds typically take?
Timing varies by authority and round; check the authority published timetable.
Can a multi-region group corporation apply across multiple MCAs?
Yes, where each campus falls in a different combined-authority area, each applies to its local authority programme in parallel, subject to that pot rules.
What about Welsh Government funding for Welsh colleges?
Welsh Government Energy Service for Colleges provides feasibility funding, technical support, and grant access for Welsh FE colleges. Separate from English MCA structure but functions similarly as devolved regional support.
What about Scottish FE colleges?
In Scotland the Salix-administered Scottish Public Sector Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme is open (20 October 2026). Other Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council capital routes change from year to year, so check with the college SFC contact and the relevant City Region Deal.
What about Northern Ireland?
NI FE colleges access DfE NI Sustainability and Decarbonisation Capital + NI Executive Energy Strategy capital + DAERA Climate Programme. NI funding routes differ from GB MCA structure.
How do we identify current MCA grant opportunities?
Combined-authority grant rounds open and close frequently, so check each authority current programme before scoping. Annual scoping is recommended.