AbstractPalladium (Pd) nanocatalysis plays key roles in many areas from environmental remediation, energy utilization to chemical synthesis. Viruses offer exciting opportunities and advantages as promising nanoparticle synthesis templates due to their controlled dimensions and structures, and the ability to confer precisely spaced functionalities by genetic modification to permit improved and/or tunable metal nanoparticle formation. We have utilized tubular tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as biologically derived nanotemplates for controlled synthesis of catalytically active Pd nanoparticles. Here we describe key findings and insights gained from our studies on the synthesis and characterization, as well as on both aqueous and organic phase catalytic reactions, dichromate reduction and the Suzuki‐coupling reaction. We hope that the methodologies and results summarized here can spur further interdisciplinary collaboration, and expect that more discoveries and improved performances can be realized with future endeavors.