This second special issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal highlights early career researchers and their novel contributions to the interdisciplinary field of cleft and craniofacial science and care. These 16 manuscripts span clinical and basic science, reflecting the journal's commitment to evidence-based, team-centered care and promoting the work of those early in their careers. This year's showcase also highlights the emerging trends in digital innovation, patient-centered language and outcomes, and advances in interdisciplinary and translational science.
AlejandroLOKowalczykMHamSAPressVGWolfsonRKAroraVMVolermanA. Differential professional and personal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on early career researchers. Acad Med. 2025;100(9):1080-1089. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000006005
MeirmansS. How competition for funding impacts scientific practice: Building pre-fab houses but no cathedrals. Sci Eng Ethics. 2024;30(1):635. doi:10.1007/s11948-024-00465-5
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KarnikNSEllingrodVL.MeagherEA. An impending crisis for the translational science pipeline: The dire impact of proposed NIH budget cuts on early-career researchers. J Clin Transl Sci. 2025;9(1):e196. doi:10.1017/cts.2025.10129
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WróblewskaMNBalabanCDerrickGBenneworthP. The conflict of impact for early career researchers planning for a future in the academy. Res Eval. 2024;33:rvad024. doi:10.1093/reseval/rvad024
