FBI San Diego Seeking Nominations for 2026 Citizens Academy
The Nomination Deadline for the Spring 2026 Citizens Academy is Thursday, December 18, 2025
December 9, 2025 - The FBI San Diego Field Office Community Outreach Team invites nominations from the public for the 2026 Citizens Academy class, which will be held March 3, 2026, through April 20, 2026.
The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.
The program offers an inside look at the FBI. During the eight-week Academy, you will have a chance to learn more about what the FBI investigates, including violent crimes and elder fraud; how we investigate, like safeguarding our national security and keeping our communities safe, resources available to the public and our local law enforcement partners, and more.
Your nominations of business, community, academic, and religious leaders are essential to developing an ambassador group to represent the FBI in the communities we serve and live within.
We ask that you think strategically about whom you nominate for the Citizens Academy and how their participation would benefit the FBI Academy’s mission and the greater community, ranging from their participation in this program to their contribution to the Alumni Association and beyond. We are committed to seeking nominees that reflect our multi-faceted localities in both San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Candidates may be nominated by FBI employees, former Citizens Academy graduates, and community leaders, and may also self-nominate. Participants are selected by the special agent in charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office.
Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning on March 3, 2026, and end with a graduation ceremony on Monday, April 20, 2026. During the eight-week academy, students gain insight into the FBI San Diego Field Office and its North County and Imperial County Resident Agencies structure and operations.
If you would like to nominate a community, business, academic, or religious leader or nominate yourself for the 2026 Citizens Academy, please visit the FBI San Diego Community Outreach page and complete the online nomination form for each nominee.
The nomination deadline for the Spring 2026 Citizens Academy is Thursday, December 18, 2025. Late nominations will not be accepted.
After the nomination period has ended, an email will be sent to the potential participant containing the application form and instructions.
Due to high demand, the selection process is competitive, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
FBI San Diego
Media Coordinator
(858) 320-1800 | SDPublicAffairs@fbi.gov
