In this application is described a method for preparing nano-VLP composition, thereby permitting purification using chromatography and filtration. The nano-VLP composition has a more uniform size range of filovirus particles, roughly 230 nm diameter, allowing ease of manipulation of the composition, while retaining GP conformational integrity and the antigenic effectiveness of the vaccine. Additionally, the nano-VLP can be lyophilized without loss of nano-VLP structure, or GP immunogenicity. Lyophilized nano-VLP have greatly enhanced thermostability, allowing the creation of a filovirus nano-VLP vaccine without a cold chain requirement.