GSA is a non-profit educational organization which promotes research and study of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The GSA Endowment Fund provides financial support to Association projects, the annual conference, and general operations. Gifts and donations to GSA are tax deductible contributions in the United States and many other countries.

The Conference of the Association is held in the Fall, generally between mid-September and mid-October. About 150 sessions, each with three scholarly papers, a moderator, and a commentator, are distributed among the main research areas of the Association. Papers may be offered in English or German.

German Studies Review is published three times each year, in February, May, and October. An issue generally contains six articles and 60 book reviews. Articles and book reviews in history, literature, culture studies, political science, as well as interdisciplinary themes, are published in English or German.

The Newsletter is published twice each year. Each issue is about fifty pages, and contains information about the profession, grants, computer use in German Studies research and teaching, archival reports, and information about conferences and events as well as news of importance to the membership.

Guidelines for curricula in German Studies are offered by GSA for assistance to universities, colleges, and high schools in planning programs in German Studies.