This paper draws on three domains of research on cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration and a systematic literature review approach (Burgers et al., 2019; Xiao & Watson, 2019) to develop a typology of knowledge integration. The domains of research we reviewed include (1) studies of inter and transdisciplinarity (O’Rourke et al., 2016; Klein, 1990, 2021, 2023); (2) studies focusing on knowledge co-production in sustainability research (Hoffmann et al., 2017; Pohl et al., 2021); and (3) studies focusing directly on factors influencing knowledge integration in the Science of Team Science (SciTS) (Stokols et al., 2008; Lotrecchiano & Misra, 2018; Gajary et al., 2023). We advance the literature on knowledge integration in team science by addressing the following question: How can teams prepare for and facilitate successful knowledge integration in cross-disciplinary and/or cross-sectoral team environments?

The typology of knowledge integration that we build inductively from the literature addresses the following specific theoretical and pragmatic questions: (1) How do scholars in various fields of study conceptualize, operationalize, and measure knowledge integration? (2) What challenges and barriers do cross-disciplinary teams encounter in integrating knowledge? How do these challenges and barriers vary across different stages of a collaboration? (3) How do the challenges and barriers impact individual and team learning? (4) What key processes, strategies, and tools can be applied to mitigate these challenges and enhance knowledge integration?

Our typology identifies key individual, interpersonal, team, organizational, and institutional antecedents, processes, and outcomes of knowledge integration. It distinguishes between the stages of knowledge integration, from newly formed teams to more mature collaborations, and identifies key challenges and barriers particularly salient in each stage. Finally, it proposes strategies, processes, and tools for facilitating knowledge integration that align with the team’s stage and contextual conditions. Our conceptualization of knowledge integration antecedents, processes, and outcomes and strategies for effective knowledge integration can inform the conduct of team science by providing a framework for preparing for and facilitating knowledge integration for both academic and non-academic stakeholders and practitioners. It also advances team science and science policy scholarship by setting the stage for an evaluation framework for knowledge integration.