Latest Update:
With the 2.1.4 opt-in patch made available today, the last of the 3 bugs this mod was created to address has been fixed. I no longer recommend using this mod as it is obsolete.
However, you might want to check out @barrybeal's mod and/or @sainon's mod, which have more bug fixes and balance changes.
Old Stuff:
Unzip to Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Mods and start a new game. This mod fixes 3 problems that were reported in the beta but didn't have fixes available at release today:
1) The first level beam weapon miniaturization specialization tech is 10 times more expensive to research than the other 2 choices.
2) Same thing for the first level kinetic miniaturization specialization tech.
3) The upgrade research building that currently gives +75% to research now gives +7.5% as intended.
There will be an official patch coming very soon, I'm sure, so be sure to delete these files after the patch. Use only if you promise to remember to do that, as use of this patch after the official Crusade files are updated will mask any other fixes contained there.
Use at your own risk. File is here. If that link doesn't work, try this one.
Update: The 2.1.30 beta released May 8th, 2017, fixes problems 1 and 2. Problem 3 is still fixed by the modified mod found here. Install this version if you have the 2.1.30 beta, install the original if you do not.
Update: Version 2.1.31 still contains the Research Institute problem (#3 above) and an updated version of this mod can be found here. Please also see the post by @barrybeal below to find a mod that patches additional problems.