Mapping Impacts, Barriers, and Challenges in Scientific Collaboration
International science collaboration countries have expanded considerably in recent years; nevertheless, institutional and organizational barriers and challenges continue to undermine the effectiveness of joint research initiatives. This study examines how such barriers are associated with perceived academic and technological outcomes, drawing on a primary dataset of 396 survey responses from researchers in BRICS-countries-based collaborations. The questionnaire was refined through in-person consultations with multidisciplinary specialists (engineering, management, economics, and geoscience) to ensure conceptual and content validity. Gray incidence analysis (GIA) was implemented to evaluate the strength of associations between reported barriers, challenges, and collaborative impacts. To ensure research rigor, multiple sensitivity and consistency checks were conducted, including the variation of the distinguishing coefficient θ in the GIA method to verify the stability of the incidence rankings under different parameter settings. Findings indicate that financial and organizational misalignments are more strongly associated with reduced collaborative effectiveness than intercultural or interpersonal challenges. Conversely, positive impacts are reflected in productivity gains, reputational improvements, and opportunities for joint events. These results suggest that while science collaborations deliver substantial academic and technological benefits, their sustainability is closely linked to institutional alignment, consistent financial support, and shared governance mechanisms. The study provides relevant insights for both policymakers and researchers by highlighting the obstacles most critical to long-term and impactful scientific cooperation.