The GAANN program offered by the U.S. Department of Education is designed to provide GAP fellowships to women, minority, and disabled students who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent residents with excellent academic records, demonstrate financial need, and plan to pursue the highest degree available in Computer and Information Science, a designated area of national need. Each fellowship awards a stipend which covers tuition, fees, and modest living costs.

Georgia State includes hands-on research experience for graduate students, combined graduate student and faculty 'cluster groups,' a high-impact mentored teaching experience, professional development workshops, seminars, and mentoring workshops.

The CIS Department provides classes and programs to prepare selected doctoral students for future faculty positions. Research training and student development seminars are offered throughout the year. Georgia State has launched a training program for participating faculty to develop skills in mentoring diverse populations. A seminar series which is open to all graduate students and faculty focuses on themes of inclusiveness and issues of diversity.

Currently there are five (5) GAANN-GAP Fellows enrolled at GSU with backgrounds in telecommunications, project management, software development, and interactive web and film development.