The polymerization of vinyl monomer initiated with poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA) in water was carried out at 85°C. Cu(II) ion was not necessary for this polymerization. Methacrylate monomers were polymerized, while styrene and acrylonitrile were not. The polymerization was found to proceed through a radical mechanism in the interior of PHEMA which was swelled in water. The grafting efficiency of MMA polymer obtained was about 90%. The overall activation energy was estimated to be 32.9 kJ/mol.