The Research and Development Programmes of Yayasan Sabah Group are aimed at creating a knowledge-based organization which will lead to empowerment of the people.

This is accomplished by carrying out Research and Development in two main fields: Social Sciences and Science and Technology, together with active collaboration with various national and international organizations.

Social Science:
Fundamental and problem-solving research on key issues in relation to the needs of the state and the nation, including youth unemployment, women's issues and poverty alleviation, encompassing knowledge and skills development and socio-economic and socio-cultural development, with particular focus on rural areas.

Education and Skills Development:
Basic and functional literacy, as well as the enhancement of education among the people in rural areas, is the focus of study. Current activities include assessing achievements of students staying in Yayasan Sabah hostels and preparing modules to improve academic performance, as well as increasing enrolment of kindergarten and primary level students. Monitoring and analyzing academic achievements of students under the Secondary School Scholarship Programme in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak is also being carried out.

Socio-Economic Development:
Study areas include evaluation of the Women Development Fund, identifying problems and improving the housing and settlements of Yayasan Sabah-IKEA employees in the field, evaluation of the effectiveness of the Yayasan Sabah Handicraft Programme and identifying the socio-economic problems of local people living in Kg. Inarad, Tongod and Kg. Tumunong Hallo, Lahad Datu, with a view to designing programmes to improve income levels and standard of living.

Socio-Cultural Development:
Research areas include evaluation of the Women Development Fund, investigation of the Potential of Traditional Costume Weaving in Sabah with the possibility of development into small businesses and research into Youth Migration from rural to urban areas and its socio economic implications.