The microwave-mediated synthesis of resveratrol molecularly imprinted polymers is reported. The binding performance of these functional polymers has been evaluated and compared to the corresponding thermally-initiated polymers. The advantages of microwave-synthesis include a 20-fold decrease in polymerisation time, similar binding capacities and enhanced molecular selectivity for resveratrol. These binding data indicate microwave-mediated polymerisation provides superior binding site organization and access.