Highly dispersed supported catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured at temperatures below about 95.degree. C. The catalyst nanoparticles are formed on a support using an organic anchoring agent. The anchoring agent molecules include at least two functional groups. One functional group is selected to bond with the catalyst atoms and the other functional group is selected to bond with the support material. The anchoring agent and its interaction with the support provide a template for the catalyst atoms. The catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured by treating the support material with a solution of the anchoring agent. A solution of the catalyst atoms is reacted with the anchoring agent molecules to form an intermediate supported catalyst. The supported intermediate catalyst is dried by heating at a temperature less than about 95.degree. C. In an alternative embodiment, the catalyst atoms are reacted with the anchoring agent molecules prior to treating the support material with the anchoring agent.