Each playable race should have a research chain that unlocks modules that only their race of ships can install.
The modules could be equipped plus the standard mods so, for example, you could have all 8 regular weapons plus however many specific race weapons.
The modules would match each race's specific ability in some way or another of course.

lol i like this +1

+1 This would add more variety between races besides abilities and ships.

How would this work for people who switch races? Would they need to research for every single race that they play as? As an example my primary race I play is Taltherian, and I would be all for a racial specific research tree......but I also switch to Aerlon when it is needed. So I guess my question for you is this: Would it be one new research tree...call it "Racial Research" that you can research into, that would unlock things for whatever race you are at the time, or would it be separate, completely independent branches for each race?

how would this work for the unlockable races at that?

I was thinking that there would be 3 options.
1. There is one racial research tree that you research while you are that race. So as a konquil you would research koquil mods. And when you switch to another race you would have the same research tab but now you would be researching the mods for that race. This way you would have to be a specific race for long enough to complete the research tree. (I like this way best because it is more realistic)
2. There is a racial research tree that unlocks mods for all races based on level. (like how we get planet def upgrades while we research shield mods) So at the first level you would unlock the first tier for each race. (which would probably mean the advances would have to be more generic) But you could only install them if you are that race.
OR
3. There is a new tree for each race that is available to all players. (if you have the race unlocked) So you can research multiple race mods while you are one race. (I like this because it is convenient to all players but it just isn't realistic- this is supposed to be like secret technologies of each race.)

They also would have special mods but you would only be able to research them if you have unlocked the race.

I really like this idea (even though it is mine) because it allows for the advancement a lot of higher ranks are looking for without screwing all the younger ranks. It leaves room for above +12 buildings (think mylarai , kronyn, and taltherian each having their own special structure) and better energy capacity.

+1
I love this idea.
Each race would have their own specific technology to research that would compliment their existing advantages.
1 research chain per race that unlocks new ship modules and planet structures from weakest to strongest.

Unlockable races, you have to do a mission chain before they are available to you and you get certain artis from that chain already, but I think there should still be a "race specific" research chain to open up to them after you change to that race.

As for switching races, that "seems" simple enough.
Because racial chains are meant to open up technology that only that race can use, then once you change races you can no longer use anything you have researched from your former race.That research chain will disappear from your research page, being replaced by your new races research chain..if you ever change back to your former race, you can again have access to the technology that you had researched before changing and you will take over on the research chain where you left off when you switched.
So technically, you "could" complete every races research chain but could not use all the technology at once, only the tech from the race you currently are.

+1

Swapping races would be the only weird part... As far as how you would deal with ship modules. Currently, Dan allows you to keep things on your ship -- even if you shouldn't be able to -- you just can't build the modules again (per the size switch when transferring down from Sillix), but if they ship mods became useless when you changed races, you would have the option (as a high rank with lots of cargo space) of keeping them uninstalled and reinstalling only when switching back to that race.

I don't really like the idea of other race's modules being functional at all... that wouldn't make sense.

Anyway, the linked topic illustrates that those 2 or 3 people like this idea too. +3 from them.

I like it, but possibly it should go deeper, to having specific chain for unique professions (Sab, Gov...)

its an interesting thought.... perhaps certain tiers in the chain could address those.