Academy

In the academy, you can earn certificates. Certificates (Or Autonauts Certificate of Awesome) are in game quest- or achievement-like tasks that you are asked to do. One Certificate often requires several tasks to be completed, like planting 30 trees and digging 30 holes. They are unlocked bit by bit as you complete other certificates or research, and will also help unlock recipes, items and blueprints.

Completing these will unlock the next three certificates Completing at least one food certificate and the Colonist certificate will unlock the next three:

From now on, most certificates are unlocked through research.