12/17/2025
Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2026 FBI CJIS Citizens Academy!
The FBI Citizens Academy is a stimulating six- to eight-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. During the academy, students gain insight into the structure and operation of FBI field offices and resident agencies and learn the services the FBI provides to local and state law enforcement agencies. It is the goal of the FBI Citizens Academy to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.
The next FBI CJIS Division Citizens Academy class will be held Tuesdays, beginning March 3, 2026, and ending April 28, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at FBI CJIS Division (1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, West Virginia, 26306).
Nominations for the 2026 class may be submitted by past and/or present FBI employees, Citizens Academy graduates, or any individual wishing to nominate themselves. Individuals nominated must be in good standing in the community.
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
Be a recognized business, religious, or community leader
Live and/or work within the division's jurisdiction
Be at least 21 years old
Consent to a limited background investigation, to include fingerprint checks
Agree to attend all sessions, with no more than one excused absence
To nominate a candidate or self-nominate, please complete the below nomination form and provide a narrative stating the reasons for nomination. If you plan to nominate more than one candidate, please provide one form per nominee. Please note: The selection process is competitive, and not all nominees will be selected.
Selections of the final candidates for the 2026 class are to be determined by the division. Candidates will be notified of their status by February 2, 2026.
At the conclusion of the program, graduates are encouraged to join their local FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Chapter for the purpose of strengthening relationships and improving understanding between the FBI and the community. Graduates, while not official spokespersons for the FBI, may be called upon to share their understanding of the role of federal law enforcement, specifically the FBI.
The deadline for nomination form submissions is January 2, 2026.
Please see the below link for the updated CJIS Community Outreach Page with the live Citizens Academy nomination form and related information:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/cjis-community-outreach
Here is a direct link to the form:
https://forms.fbi.gov/citizens-academy-nomination-forms/fbi-citizens-academy-nomination-form-cjis/
Please contact Megan R. Currey at mrcurrey@fbi.gov with further questions.
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