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 2018
Establishing Work Readiness Benchmarks and Standards to Ensure Singapore International Competitiveness
Professor Remus Illes, National University of Singapore
The objective of this study is to inform individuals, training organisations, and employers on what essential skills are required for success, and thus build, select, and promote work ready and likely successful individuals. Leveraging the Education and Skills Online (ESOL), an online computer adaptive programme that administers, scores and report adult competencies in cognitive skills, these essential skills will be benchmarked across a range of jobs within selected career clusters that are key to Singapore’s economic growth.
Grant Call 2023
Modelling Self-Regulated Online Learning: Video- and Game-Based Learning
Associate Professor Goh Yang Miang, National University of Singapore
This project aims to answer the following research questionssss: 1. How can learning analytics be used to identify online learners’ SRL subprocesses during video-based learning (VBL) and DGBL? 2. What patterns of SRL subprocesses do online learners undergo during VBL and DGBL? 3. How do the patterns of SRL subprocesses differ between high- and low-performers? Deliverables: a. Open-source dataset and machine learning model b. Intervention strategies for low performers
Grant Call 2018
Orchestration of Microlearning to Support Singapore's Workforce in their Lifelong Learning Journey: Learner, Design and Performance
Professor Looi Chee Kit, Nanyang Technological University
The aim of this research project is to explore microlearning at the learner, course design and system levels. The goals are two-fold: (i) provide empirical findings with Singapore as the context of study, and (ii) catalyze more research on microlearning in Singapore. The research will produce empirical knowledge and will be useful to inform the policy, design and implementation of microlearning.
Grant Call 2019
Evaluating the effectiveness of digital-game-based learning for professional upskilling
Associate Professor Goh Yang Miang, National University of Singapore
This study examines the effectiveness of digital game-based learning (DGBL) through empirical testing of a theoretical authentic learning environment (ALE) model building on a model previously developed by the research team that comprises three factors (task authenticity, knowledge co-construction, and expert modelling) for achievement of surface learning (i.e. knowledge retention) and deep learning (application, re-contextualisation, and innovation). The outcome of the research will be a toolkit for evaluating DGBL and a protocol of designing, fitting and evaluating DGBL for professional upskilling.
Grant Call 2021
Examining the Implementation of Practice-based Work Approach for the Professional Learning of Associate Faculty
Associate Professor Jennifer Yeo, Singapore University of Social Sciences
This study aims to examine the design of a practice-based learning approach in two graduate certificate courses aimed at building up the teaching and learning capacity of Associate Faculty (AF).
