The Workforce Development Applied Research Fund (WDARF), a national-level research fund offered by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), aims to foster high quality and rigorous applied research in skills, workforce development and lifelong learning to support the SWDA'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 SWDA. 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 Expression of Interest (EOI) submission is now closed.
Previous Result
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
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 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 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
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.
