Both US & UK Executive committees are responsible for selecting new delegates to the annual conference – up to 24 from the UK and 24 from the US. In the UK, existing Fellows, Advisory Board members, donors and outside organisations, particularly those involved in fields that are under-represented in the Project, are invited to submit nominations each Spring.

Nominees must be between 28-40 years old, with a proven track record of achievement and high future potential. Delegates are chosen on the basis that they will contribute to, and benefit from, the experience of the four day conference and subsequent life-long membership of the Fellowship.

In the UK, candidates attend selection interviews which take the form of a round table discussion in April. These are moderated by a BAP Executive Committee member and include topics of current interest as well as issues relevant to the conference theme. Other Executive Committee members are also present to assess candidates on the basis of their performance at the selection event, on their achievements to date and on their future potential. Regardless of outcome, the Project tries to make the selection evening an enjoyable experience in itself.

The process in the US is by geographic necessity more regionally oriented. Nominees submit written applications which are then grouped into Regional groups. Regional chairs act as coordinating points for these nominations and create short lists. The regional short lists are then sent to a National Selections Committee for final consideration.

Both committee look for the following qualities in candidates:

• The ability to take risks with ideas;
• The ability to offer significant insights from both their own specialism and other domains;
• Interest in the views of others;
• Interest in the transatlantic dimension of the Project;
• Leadership - achievement or potential to make significant impact in their fields;
• A personality which combines well with the chemistry of the conference.

The British-American Project strives to draw its membership from as wide a selection of backgrounds and fields as possible. The competition for places is generally very fierce. Maintaining diversity inevitably means that some very able candidates will not be accepted. The committee endeavours to ensure that failure to be accepted is not taken as personal rejection since it does not necessarily reflect on the calibre of the candidate.