Nitrogen-doped carbon supported cobalt electro-catalysts for the reduction of oxygen were prepared from the high nitrogen content prepolymer of melamine formaldehyde resin and cobalt acetate.The results indicated that the catalyst structure changed with the carbonization temperature under the protection of the inert gases.The electro-catalysts exhibited face-centered cubic structure.The RDE results showed that good electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction at these electro-catalysts was found under the experimental condition.The onset potential for oxygen reduction (Eonset) was 0.5 V (vs.SCE).The catalyst prepared under 700 ℃ was found to have the highest activity.