Following a substantial contribution from the Vocational Training Charitable Trust, the Healing Foundation is pleased to begin the formal selection process to establish The Healing Foundation UK Centre for Cleft Research supported by VTCT. We envisage a 10 year research investment worth up to £5,000,000 to address genetic, clinical and broader therapeutic issues of cleft lip and palate, in order to improve understanding of the condition and offer better treatments and support for patients and their families.

We envisage two parts to this research programme. First, the establishment of a Gene Bank to explore the genetic and environmental factors contributing to cleft (and possibly other craniofacial anomalies). It will provide a valuable tool for researchers and epidemiologists in pursuit of better understanding of the causes of and appropriate responses to cleft lip and palate. Secondly, a major Clinical Research Programme will coordinate research projects across the United Kingdom to provide evidence based advances in the surgical and therapeutic treatments of cleft as well as improve the support and information available to the families of children affected.

The Healing Foundation's total commitment, subject to fundraising progress, will be up to £5,000,000 with an initial commitment of £2,000,000 to establish the gene bank and early research projects.

Closing date for applications - 6pm, Thursday 23 April 2009.