Tungsten-based materials can play different roles in fuel cell systems. They are the only compounds which can be used as catalysts, co-catalysts, catalyst supports and electrolytes in different types of fuels cells. In particular, tungsten-based materials fulfill the requirements for their use as thermally stable carbon-alternative catalyst supports and Nafion(R)-alternative proton conducting electrolytes in fuel cells operating at intermediate temperature. In this work an overview of the use of tungsten-containing materials in fuel cells is presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.