This paper reviews the literature on the preparation aspect of non-noble electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell reactions, especially focusing on cathode electrocatalyst preparation methods. Various effective synthesis methods for two kinds of promising catalysts such as transition metal chalcogenides, and heat-treated nitrogen containing complexes (macrocyclic complexes) are discussed. Though some remarkable progress has been made in catalyst preparation techniques, neither of these catalysts has reached the level of a Pt based catalyst in terms of catalytic activity, durability and chemical/electrochemical stability. In order to make non-noble electrocatalysts commercially feasible, cost-effective and innovative, catalyst synthesis methods are needed for new catalyst discovery and catalyst performance optimization. Crown Copyright (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.