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
Leveraging Leadership to Sustain the Dynamic Professional Development and Identities of Preschool Teachers: The Case for Knowledge Building Community
Professor David Hung, National Institute of Education (NIE) at the Nanyang Technological University
The research seeks to create a sustainable professional development (PD) model that embeds the design of collaboration, ownership of learning, and leadership into the professional development experiences of preschool teachers. Building upon a Knowledge Building Community (KBC) could potentially support an informal, organically-evolving and self-sustaining network for professional development, while addressing the lack of sustained professional practices. The study hopes to address preschool teachers’ epistemic beliefs (i.e. beliefs about the ways in which people learn, the assumptions that learners hold about the nature of knowledge, and the process of knowledge acquisition) through the KBC which integrates ICT learning.
Understanding and Promoting Work Skill Learning Among Lower-Income Employees
Associate Professor Marko Pitesa, Singapore Management University
The research seeks to understand how the learning of new work skills can be promoted amongst lower-income workers. It will also test novel, cost-effective, and scalable interventions that can help lower-income workers learn new work skills. The designed interventions will be implemented in local organisations through a randomised controlled trial to reveal which approaches produce the most benefit for low-income workers and their organisations.
Virtual and Augmented Reality Training Systems for the Elderly in Singapore
Associate Professor Jung Younbo, Nanyang Technological University
The project aims to address emerging challenges in an aging society by examining the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) learning programmes for elderly Singaporeans on building their confidence in living independently with dignity and respect. For instance, the newly developed learning programmes may help the elderly pick up new skills that are essential to live in a smart nation and applicable to find appropriate jobs to meet their physical and financial needs. The initial findings will help implement the project in real-life settings, in cooperation with government and welfare organisations so as to benefit the elderly, paving the way towards active ageing.
