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 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) 2025 Grant Call
The WDARF 2025 Grant Call is now open. We are now accepting submission for Expression of Interest (EOI) from now till 18 July.
Previous Result
Grant Call 2019
Identifying the Motivational Tipping Point for Lifelong Learning: One Size Does Not Fit All
Dr Cheong Kang Hao, Singapore University of Technology and Design
This project broadly aims to apply an opinion dynamics model in the context of adult education. Specifically, it aims to apply an opinion dynamics model to explore motivation and structural factors for taking up lifelong learning courses in Singapore.
Grant Call 2019
From classroom training to workplace practice: Understanding workers’ learning motivation, skill acquisition and skill utilisation in the context of Continuing Education and Training (CET)
Dr Lee Ai Noi, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University
Continuous education and training (CET) opportunities available to workers is crucial to ensure a relevant and resilient workforce. Using a three-time point design of data collection, this study aims to examine the influence of individual and workplace situational factors on workers’ learning motivation, skill acquisition and skill utilisation before and after completion of a CET course; and whether a more structured workplace learning context can increase the likelihood of individual skill utilisation.
Grant Call 2020
Developing an Impact Evaluation Protocol for SSG’s Skills Framework
Prof Remus Ilies, National University of Singapore
The project aims to develop an Impact Evaluation (IE) protocol to quantify Singapore’s return on investment (ROI) on the Skills Framework and other upskilling initiatives. It considers (1) employers’ recognition of the need for skills, (2) their willingness to pay for skills, (3) how they pay for skills, and in turn, how this impacts (4) productivity, (5) employee engagement, and (6) retention. The proposed IE serves two key purposes. The first is accountability, to ensure that the Skills Framework actually leads to outcomes. The second is learning, to offer an evidence base to improve the effectiveness of the Skills Framework in fostering outcomes of interest.
Grant Call 2020
Developing personalized Chatbots and evaluating their effectiveness as teaching assistants in adult learning
Dr Miao Huang, Temasek Polytechnic
This project proposes to create an AI teaching assistant using a Chatbot, to assist tutors in providing individualized learning experiences and pathways for their adult learners. The Chatbot will have access to learning analytics information of learners to provide highly customizable content for learners with various needs. For example, for the academically slow progressing CET learners, the Chatbot identifies the domains that require more help and directs them to more relevant and specific resources. The instantaneous and efficient communication allows the learner to be proactive in asking questions, seeking clarifications and assistance on the fly, without the fear of being judged for the quantity or content of their inquiries. The Chatbot can also contain assessment or assignment information to help learners to prioritize their time.
Grant Call 2019
Development and Evaluation of Building Resilience@Work Training among Healthcare Workers
Associate Professor Lau Ying, National University of Singapore
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-paced training programme (that includes six online sessions, self-monitoring, homework, peer and therapist supports) on resilience, job engagement, intention to leave, employability, and work performance. This study also seeks to explore healthcare workers’ experience of the training programme.
