Can Scientific Cooperation happen when there's no science to share?
I actually fell into this trap in a game, and was surprised at the rules.  If the other civilization can't pay, you can't develop.

The question was asked on BGG, and the rule that covered it was also discussed there- it's on the last page of the rules, i.e. on pg. 20 under Scientific Cooperation:


  If one civilization has no science points, neither civilization can
  play a technology.