Organically-modified hydroxyapatite materials were synthesized through the addition of oxalic, succinic, adipic and citric acids to a calcium hydroxide solution before neutralization by ammonium dihydrogenphosphate. All carboxylic acids have a significant influence on apatite crystallinity and nanoparticle size, as indicated by XRD and TEM. Chemical and thermogravimetric analyses as well as FTIR and {1H}-13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopies indicate that the additives are present in the final material. 1H, {1H}-31P HPDec MAS, CP MAS and 2D {1H}-31P CP-HETCOR MAS NMR experiments suggest that carboxylic acids are localized on the apatite nanocrystallite surface, resulting in the formation of a disordered outer layer. Nitrogen sorption measurements indicate minor modifications of the specific surface area of the resulting mesoporous materials upon carboxylic acid addition but more significant variations in the average dimensions of the pores as well as in the chemical nature of the pore surface. Although these evolutions are mainly in good agreement with the ligand affinity for calcium ions in solution, an unexpected difference was observed between succinic and adipic acid, that may be attributed to steric constraints resulting from the interfacial nature of the calcium–ligand interactions. These data should provide useful guidelines to identify novel efficient additives to control apatite growth.