Special Issue Introduction: 2026 Spotlight on Early-Career Researchers of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.

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.