Basically, I mean the time it takes to set up some respectable RP output, let's say, at least 50 per turn. Early game the research disparity is so big that by the time I'm researching Colony Ships, other races already own at least two colonies and a couple of destroyers.
To catch up, for several dozens of turns I can't do anything but invest in research labs & planetary development.

edit: to clarify, I play on pre-warp settings.

Now I see, thanks for explaining. That's quite a challenge.