A scientific colony or research colony was a colony devoted to conducting scientific research.
In 2152, Plinn claimed that a woman in stasis on his freighter was headed for a research colony to study medicine. (ENT: "Precious Cargo")
The Romulan research colony on Chaltok IV was nearly destroyed in a polaric ion accident, which led to the Polaric Test Ban Treaty of 2268. (VOY: "Time and Again")
In 2268, a Federation scientific colony on Triacus was attacked by Gorgan. (TOS: "And the Children Shall Lead")
A self-sufficient Human research colony existed on Titan in the 31st century. It split off from Earth after the Burn. (DIS: "People of Earth")