The doping of carbon nanomaterials with nitrogen produces changes in their electrophysical, adsorption and catalytic properties. The catalytic synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials (N-CNMs) is performed at moderate temperatures, leads to selective formation of N-CNMs and is therefore more attractive than the physical synthesis methods. The review discusses the mechanism of N-CNMs catalytic growth; the understanding of this mechanism is essential in the synthesis of active and stable catalysts for the production of N-CNMs. Literature data on the surface properties and application of N-CNMs as catalysts and catalyst supports are also reviewed; the effect of nitrogen content and type on physicochemical and catalytic properties of N-CNMs is analyzed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.