About
Virtual ARC General Assessor+ guides the user through AI-powered Socratic questioning to refine their research project idea and support its write-up as a project description for submission to the ARC. Informed by engagement with the virtual assessor, the app provides general feedback on project quality and innovation, and on the project’s benefits. It also prepares initial drafts of the:
- - Application title—up to 75 characters;
- - Application summary—ensuring aims, significance, outcomes, and societal benefits are articulated clearly within the 750-character limit;
- - National interest test (NIT) statement—addressing the three key considerations within the 1,500-character limit.
Feedback outputs
Feedback is provided in two parts. Project quality and innovation feedback responds to the strength of the idea, the clarity of the aim and significance, and the coherence of the proposed approach and anticipated outcomes, and identifies where the description could be sharpened. Benefits feedback responds to the articulation of expected outcomes and societal benefits, including their relevance to Australia.
Both forms of feedback are general in nature. They are generated from the user’s own responses during the dialogue and are intended to support revision of the project description rather than to predict the outcome of an assessment.
Access required
Access to Virtual ARC General Assessor+ is available by purchase of a voucher. To continue, please purchase a voucher and redeem it on this page. Once redeemed, the voucher will unlock full access to the app’s assessment and drafting features for the duration specified.
Texts generated during periods of active access remain available to the user in the library after the access and voucher have expired. These materials may be accessed and downloaded at any time without the purchase of an additional voucher. Users are responsible for retaining copies of downloaded materials for their own records.
Redeem a voucher
Before redeeming a voucher
To use Virtual ARC General Assessor+ effectively, users should be prepared to discuss an envisioned, time-bound research project that is eligible for funding through an ARC project or fellowship scheme. User inputs may take the form of rough notes, partial drafts, or text drawn from an existing project description.
Completing the dialogue involves situating the project in a field of research, clearly articulating the problem or aim to be addressed within the project period, and explaining why the proposed project matters for the nominated field. Users should also be ready to outline, even in provisional terms, the proposed approach, anticipated outcomes, and expected benefits of the project, including plausible indicators of success and benefits to Australia.
The clarity and usefulness of the feedback typically increase with the clarity and specificity of the input. That said, Virtual ARC General Assessor+ can also support early-stage project conceptualisation through structured discussion.
The time required for the interaction will vary depending on whether users are refining existing material or developing new project ideas.
Log in to Virtual ARC General Assessor+ prior to redeeming a voucher to make full use of access.