Atomically dispersed platinum-group metal-free catalyst and method for synthesizing the same. According to one embodiment, the catalyst is made by a method in which, in a first step, a metal oxide/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) composite is formed by combining (i) nanoparticles of an oxide of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper, (ii) a hydrated zinc salt, and (iii) an imidazole. Then, in a second step, the metal oxide/ZIF composite is thermally activated, i.e., carbonized, to form an M-N—C catalyst. Thereafter, the M-N—C catalyst may be mixed with a quantity of ammonium chloride, and then the M-N—C/NH4Cl mixture may be pyrolyzed. The foregoing NH4Cl treatment may improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst. Then, a thin layer of nitrogen-doped carbon may be added to NH4Cl-treated M-N—C catalyst by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Such CVD treatment may improve the stability of the catalyst.