Exactly, after tech 10, I just focussed my research (If any) on food, energy, and construction. Eventually, all those 2% bonuses add up.
Incidentally, you got those bonuses for EVERY tech, not just the future techs. Then there are the morale bonuses as well.
If you research far enough, you could have everything running off one food production structure, and one energy plant. Of course, this would depend on the size of the system, but with enough tech, it is possible. You could then let the population really focus on production or intel.
I hope such bonuses will be in BOTF2. I know the tech tree will take a lot longer to climb through, particularly since there are an additional 2 levels, it would further add to the benefits of research.