An atom transfer radical dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol was successfully carried out with the formation of uniform sized particles. This was accomplished by using a "two-stage" polymerization technique, in which the first stage involves a standard free radical polymerization and the second a controlled/living radical polymerization. The required nucleation stage was completed in a relatively short period, and therefore particles with uniform size were achieved. The particles contained polymers with molecular weight similar to 20 000 g/mol and relatively low polydispersity (M-w/M-n = 1.4-1.8, compared with M-w/M-n = 4-5 from conventional dispersion polymerization), indicating a high fraction of retained chain-end functionality which can be readily employed for further modification of the particles. Monodisperse cross-linked polystyrene particles were also synthesized using the same technique; these particles were successfully chain-extended with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, thereby modifying the surface properties of the particles.