The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Programs at UMBC represent comprehensive programs of graduate support offered through the U.S. Department of Education and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Support includes need-based stipends* for select doctoral students who receive a variety of training in research and pedagogy.

GAANN support provides fellowships to Ph.D. students with excellent records who demonstrate financial need. GAANN fellowships are limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those who demonstrate the intention to become permanent residents. Women and students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

GAANN Programs at UMBC started in 2003, with three awards made by the U.S. Department of Education to the Departments of Biological Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics and Statistics. In 2004, two additional GAANN programs at UMBC were funded in the Departments of Physics and Information Systems.

Two of these inaugural programs have been renewed to date by the U.S. Department of Education and continue to support UMBC graduate students:

Department of Biological Sciences (2006) &
Department of Mechanical Engineering (2007)
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(Visit the links above for information specific to each department's Graduate and/or GAANN Programs.)

*Students admitted to PhD programs can be considered for GAANN support, which is need-based, meaning that UMBC can provide support from this source up to the level of financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student payments and other benefits from participating in this program may have income tax obligations. For more information, please consult a tax professional and/or the IRS. You may also wish to review IRS Publication 970, "Tax Benefits for Education.")