[Baron Munchausen]

Yes, this is the 'research aptitude' idea used by MOO 3. The laws of physics are the same for everyone, but some races are better at certain kinds of research. All you would need is a set of 'aptitudes' to match the racial techs. A race with a specialty would research that specialty at far less cost (maybe ten times less?) than the other races. But a race willing and able to pay the high research costs would be able to research any specialty.