While you may know the Nieman name through this website, our primary project for over 70 years has been the Nieman Fellowships, the oldest journalism fellowship in the world. Every fall, around two dozen talented journalists from around the world come to Harvard for a year of study in the field of their choice — anything that will make them better journalists upon their return to their career.

Some study classic journalism-influencing subjects like economics, history, or government; some dive deep into a particular topic area they’ve worked in before. Others want to study the kinds of Lab-like subjects that will influence journalism’s future: revenue models at Harvard Business School, digital media at the Berkman Center, nonprofit structures at the Hauser Center, online media law at Harvard Law School. (And if Harvard isn’t enough, Nieman Fellows can also attend classes down Mass Ave at MIT.)

We’re starting the process of picking the 74th class of Nieman Fellows, who will come to Harvard next fall, in August 2011. So if you’re a talented journalist, it might be time for you to think about applying.

Each Nieman class is roughly half American, half from the rest of the world. And the matter is most pressing for prospective international fellows, since the deadline for your application is December 15. (American applicants have until January 31.)

You can read the eligibility requirements and the details of how to apply. But the key elements include two short essays (one a personal statement, the other an outline of what you plan to study), some samples of your work, and four letters of recommendation. If you get started now, internationals, you’ve still got time! (South African, Canadian, and South Korean journalists have their own special application processes; follow the links here.)

I’m happy to answer any questions from applicants, particularly any Lab readers from digital background who’d like to come to Harvard. (I was a Nieman Fellow, Class of ’08.) There’s no age requirement, and the experience requirement is minimal (five years as a working journalist). The goal of the Nieman Fellowships is to improve journalism by unleashing journalists on a great university; if you think you could be one of those journalists, I encourage you to apply.