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 2020
Digital Capacity Building for Own-account Workers in Singapore
Dr Carol Soon, National University of Singapore
The objective of this study is to advance the digital skills and competencies of own-account workers in Singapore through benchmarking a set of job-ready digital skills and mapping a framework for digital skills development. The project seeks to unlock the benefits of digitalisation for a segment of Singaporean workers who tend to be digitally low-skilled so that they too can participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Findings from the study will support the policymaking work of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), the SG Digital Office (SDO) and the National Jobs Council.
Grant Call 2019
Empowering Singaporean Workers to Transition, and Map Careers Better in the Future of Work through Open Loop Careers
Mr Poon King Wang, Singapore University of Technology and Design
The project is aimed at measuring changes in career circumstances and attitudes over time (12 months), as well as qualitative interviews which glean deeper insights on Singaporean workers' personal experiences.
Grant Call 2019
Enhancing Adult Learning Using a Mobile Micro-Learning Platform With Integrated Nudging Interventions: A Design-Based Research Approach
Associate Professor Oh Lih Bin, National University of Singapore
The proposal seeks to provide insights into the design of educational technologies that can trigger automatic cognitive processes for adult learners. First, adult learner archetypes will be developed by drawing on adult learning theories and literature. Following this, integrated nudging interventions will be designed based on cognitive load theory and nudge theory. Next, the study will validate the effects of tailoring nudging interventions to adult learner archetypes and also assess the impact of the platform on learning outcomes.
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.
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.
