For a variety V, its [Albenese variety][1] Alb(V) is a variety with a map V → Alb(V) which factors uniquely into any map from V to an abelian variety. How about more generally? When do we know there exists an "Albanese" scheme Alb(X)? That is, >Under what conditions on a scheme X does there exist a morphism X → Alb(X) which factors uniquely into any map from from X to an abelian scheme? [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanese_variety