The Workforce Development Applied Research Fund (WDARF), a national-level research fund offered by the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), aims to foster high quality and rigorous applied research in skills, workforce development and lifelong learning to support the SkillsFuture Singapore's key thrusts and national-level policies. It encourages inter-disciplinary research and seeks to strengthen research capabilities, through leveraging both local and international expertise. The WDARF Grant Call is administered by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) on behalf of the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). The grant is awarded through an open, competitive bidding approach, where submitted proposals go through a technical expert review and evaluation, before they are presented to a Research Committee for approval.
Workforce Development Applied Research Fund (WDARF) 2026 Grant Call
The WDARF 2026 Grant Call will be opened for Expression of Interest (EOI) submission from 02 June 2026 to 13 July 2026.
Previous Result
Grant Call 2022
Microlearning, Gamification and Chatbot for Collaborative and Personalized Adult Learning (MaGiC²PAL )
Dr Miao Huang, Temasek Polytechnic
MaGiC²PAL project harnesses the promises of three modes of digital learning: microlearning courses (MLC), gamification, and Chatbot tutoring, to create a blend of online learning and blended learning (OBL) that enhances collaborative and personalized blended learning experiences. By combining these innovative approaches, we can provide diverse and tailored learning opportunities that support the needs of adult learners.
Grant Call 2023
Understanding the experience of low-wage workers: Challenges in lifelong learning participation
Assoc Prof. HO Moon-Ho, Nanyang Technological University
This project aims to understand the impact of psychosocial and institutional factors on the pursuit of lifelong learning among low-wage workers. Furthermore, our aim is to investigate the challenges low-wage workers face in developing and applying transferrable skills in both work and life. The results can be used to refine and develop policy, scheme, or pedagogy that caters to the needs of the low-wage working population and helps them engage better in learning, particularly the transferable skills.
Grant Call 2018
Mastery in the Digital Age: Accelerating Effective Skills Development Through Social Learning and Workplace Environment Prototyping
Mr Poon King Wang, Singapore University of Technology and Design
This study examines what mastery means given the digital disruption and transformation of work through the lens of craftsmanship in the Energy & Chemical and Precision Engineering sectors. It focuses on both accelerating and deepening skills development, with particular emphasis on the role of social learning and workplace learning environments. This is achieved through an ethnographic study, including observations and interviews, of how digital technology impacts the work of technicians in both sectors, how this influences their sense of mastery and, subsequently, how social learning contributes to develop the skills necessary to thrive in digital working environments.
Grant Call 2019
Measuring Employability & Life-Long Learning Mindsets Needed for Careers in the 21st Century
A/Prof Ringo Ho Moon-Ho, Nanyang Technological University
We aim to develop a suite of psychological measures of the new, more proactive and entrepreneurial “employability-oriented” career mindsets and behaviours and the spirit of lifelong learning that are needed for greater career resilience in Singapore’s future century workforce. In doing so, we seek to provide a baseline measure for subsequent profiling/monitoring of our pre-workforce, tertiary students’ new career mindsets and lifelong learning attitudes.
Grant Call 2018
Workplace Learning in Disruptive Innovators: A Knowledge Management Perspective
Associate Professor Alton Chua, Nanyang Technological University
The purpose of this proposed research is to study workplace learning in disruptive innovators in Singapore through a knowledge management perspective.
