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Collaborative research is a powerful way to build capacity across various domains, from academia to industry (Gamo et al., 2010). At its core, collaborative research is characterized by shared objectives, mutual trust, and collective problem-solving (Lang et al., 2012; Moeenian et al., 2022). Here, we describe the project entitled SARgassum risk across the Atlantic: building capacity for Transformational Adaptation in the Caribbean and West Africa (SARTRAC, https://sartrac.org), which brought together researchers from the global North and South from 2019 to 2023 (Figure 1). Institutions involved included the University of Southampton and the University of York (UK), University of Ghana (Ghana), Mona GeoInformatics Institute (Jamaica), and University of West Indies-Mona and -Cave Hill campuses (Barbados). The objectives were to investigate the drivers behind the Sargassum influx, understand the biology of Sargassum, develop early warning systems, identify alternative uses for Sargassum, and educate the vulnerable communities who are significantly impacted by its presence. We show how this collaborative research enhanced capacities, bridged knowledge gaps, and fostered innovation, and explore how projects like SARTRAC can serve as dynamic platforms for holistic development.