A water-dispersible composition including a nonofiller-containing epoxy resin and a low temperature nonionic surfactant having a molecular weight of less than about 7,000 Daltons and optionally an anionic surfactant or optionally a high temperature nonionic surfactant. The water-dispersible composition can be used to prepare an aqueous dispersion of the nanofiller-containing epoxy resin. The aqueous dispersion advantageously has a long shelf- stability. One method for preparing the aqueous dispersion includes using a high internal phase ratio emulsion process.