While the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the world economy, international research collaborations were disrupted by problems like hiring freezes, stopped lab and fieldwork, delayed research infrastructure, health effects, and restricted travel. This study aims to identify the most critical indicators with the highest relevance to explain the overall impact of the pandemic on international research collaboration. For this purpose, it uses a pilot interview conducted through the Zoom platform at a public research university in the U.S. The interview included six questions designed to reveal the impact of the pandemic on international research collaboration and its indicators. Thirty participants from different departments were interviewed. The findings of this study reveal the most important indicators for the overall impact of the pandemic on international research collaboration. The results can help design research programs, particularly those involving international collaboration, to reduce the adverse impacts of such adverse conditions. [For the full proceedings, see ED656038.]