CALLING FUTURE LEADERS: FBI San Juan Field Office Opens Applications for 2026 Teen Academy
(Source: Wikipedia)
By St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
SAN JUAN, PR — High school students across the region have a rare opportunity to step inside the world of federal law enforcement this summer. Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, announced today that the agency is officially accepting applications for its prestigious 2026 Teen Academy.
The intensive, one-week summer program runs from July 7th through July 11th, 2026, with daily sessions operating from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
“This program is one of my favorites because it gives high school students who may not even consider the FBI as an option for a career in the future the opportunity to look behind the curtain,” Special Agent in Charge Goris stated. “Students get to process evidence, wear a bomb tech suit, hop on the SWAT BearCat, and talk to FBI personnel about what it’s like to be part of this great organization.”
Inside the Academy: Hands-On Federal Training
The academy is designed to look past traditional classroom instruction, giving students interactive exposure to the technical, analytical, and physical components of federal investigations.
Throughout the four days of curriculum and graduation, participants will dive into practical scenarios and high-level presentations covering:
Investigative Tactics: Hands-on case management, gathering forensic evidence, and interviewing witnesses.
Specialized Units: Direct demonstrations from the Evidence Response Team, tactical operations with SWAT, and polygraph examinations.
Federal Crime Sectors: In-depth exposure to handling cybercrime, public corruption, and counter-terrorism.
The agency emphasized that students do not need to be pursuing a Criminal Justice degree to qualify. The FBI actively seeks a diverse pool of students interested in various professional staff paths, including intelligence analytics, language specialties, and technical support.
📋 Application Requirements & How to Apply
The academy is highly selective, and a specialized panel will review all submissions. Incomplete or late applications will be automatically disqualified.
Eligibility: Applicants must be active high school students enrolled and attending the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by the start of the August 2026 school semester. Note: Graduating seniors entering university by August 2026 are not eligible.
Required Documents: A fully completed application form, parental consent, a formal school endorsement, and a student-drafted essay indicating why they want to participate.
Deadline: All application packets must be emailed to sjoutreach@fbi.gov no later than 5:00 PM on June 1, 2026.
🔍 Want to Apply? High school students and educators can access the official forms directly via the 2026 FBI San Juan Teen Academy Application Portal. For specific questions regarding the screening process, contact Community Outreach Specialist Janet Rosa at cjrosa@fbi.gov.
