Several Ni/SiO2 catalysts were developed for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid using formic acid as the hydrogen source. The catalysts were prepared by a variety of methods including impregnation, co-precipitation, deposition-precipitation, and citric acid assisted impregnation combustion. The morphological properties were investigated by XRD, N-2 sorption, HRTEM, and H-2 pulse chemisorption measurements. XRD patterns of the calcined material revealed the presence of NiO particles, while calcination in an inert atmosphere produced Ni particles through in situ reduction of NiO. The reaction proceeded without external H-2 flow using formic acid as hydrogen source. The Ni/SiO2 catalyst prepared by the citric acid assisted method and calcined in inert gas flow was the most efficient for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid without external H-2 flow. The high catalytic performance was attributed to the high dispersion of cheap and earth-abundant Ni nanoparticles and optimal porosity.