The reductive amination of alcohols using ammonia catalyzed by supported cobalt catalysts has been studied. The catalytic activity for ethanol conversion is shown to be directly proportional to the exposed metal surface area, indicating that the activation of ethanol is metal-catalyzed and no metal-support effects were detected. The selectivity to the mono-, di-, and triethylamine varies with temperature, reactant partial pressures, and extent of reactant conversion generally as expected for a series-type reaction scheme. Both the activation procedure and the type of support also influence selectivity. Increasing the acidity of the support favors the formation of monoethylamine, probably due to disproportionation of diethylamine on the acid sites of the support indicating the bifunctionality of the catalyst.