A method for making tungsten-alloy nanoparticles that are useful for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a solvent system and a surfactant to form a first mixture. A tungsten precursor is introduced into the first mixture to form a tungsten precursor suspension. The tungsten precursor suspension is heated to form tungsten nanoparticles. The tungsten nanoparticles are combined with carbon particles to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles. The carbon-nanoparticle composite particles are combined with a metal salt to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt, the metal salt including a metal other than tungsten. The third solvent system is then removed. A two-stage heat treatment is applied to the carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt to form carbon supported tungsten-alloy nanoparticles. A method for making carbon supported tungsten alloys by reducing a tungsten salt and a metal salt is also provided.