Currently, I believe items can only be piped in by hoppers or other transfer mechanisms. If one only wants to use a few items as a condition for the research, that adds unnecessary trouble to insert an item to complete the condition.
My suggestion would make items right-clickable so it is insertable but only if these items are required for the research. Otherwise, you could add a slot in the research table that can consume the item a bit like how the transmutation table from Project E is.

Have a good day!
BasieBrinkie

Actually you can click the "submit" button or insert fluids by hand.

Would that helps you?

Must have missed that thanks for the reply!