The use of functional resins as designable supports for palladium nanoclusters is reviewed. Data are related to the generation of Pd nanoparticles under various conditions and inside gel-type or macroporous frameworks. The combination of different physico-chemical techniques (ISEC, ESR and PGSE NMR) is illustrated as a powerful tool for evaluating nanomorphology and molecular accessibility, mainly of gel-type resins. A few examples of catalytic applications are presented and discussed and prospects for wider utilizations are evaluated.