Provided are nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as pyrolysis product of fumaronitrile. The carbon quantum dots may be formed in such a manner that nitrogen may be doped in an amount of 3-10 wt % based on the total weight of the carbon quantum dots with no need for a separate doping process. As a result, the carbon quantum dots have excellent properties, such as optical property, electroconductivity and thermal safety, and thus may be useful for photocatalysts or organic solar cells, or the like.