The ARC and the Department of Education are undertaking a Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). Its aim is to build on recent reviews by revitalising the NCGP to maximise the impact of public investment in university research. The Review panel sought public submissions in response to the nine questions in its discussion paper, and the AHA was among those organisations who offered a submission. The AHA’s contribution emphasises the distinct contexts and pressures in which HASS academics practice their work and offers fourteen recommendations for the improvement of the effectiveness of the NCGP.