A success story from Andrii Galkin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Transport Systems and Logistics of Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy named after O. M. Beketova.

Currently, Mr. Galkin is at the University of Antwerp (Universiteit Antwerp), which is one of the leading universities in the country, located in the city of Antwerp (Kingdom of Belgium). The university is also part of the association of universities in Europe – of the Utrecht Network.

The applicant learned about the Horizon Europe Programme from LinkedIn and the newsletter of the University of Pardubice (Czech Republic), which is a modern institution of higher education and links the technical and social sciences in which he worked at that time (in the summer of 2022).

After reading the details and conditions of the grant, which, in his opinion, were very promising, the idea arose to prepare a project proposal and submit an application for participation in the Programme.

Despite the lack of experience in previous framework programmes or other programmes financed by the European Union, an application was submitted under the MSCA. As a result of the successful evaluation, the project proposal got approval, and Mr. Galkin received funding for 2 years (July 2023 – June 2025).

This is an individual grant for talented scientists, for which the formation of a consortium is not necessary. At that time, Mr. Galkin had contacts with the university on the basis of which he intended to implement the project, and was establishing cooperation with the future manager, whom he met at the Summer School «Urban Logistics: Present and Future» in 2020.

While preparing the project proposal, the applicant chose the research topic and prepared the draft application. He also prepared supporting documents for the project, which were determined at the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (CV, Data Management Plan, Ethics-related information/documents and other necessary documents). The documents were previously discussed and agreed with the project manager from the university on the basis of which the project is being implemented.

During the formation of the project proposal, he applied to the international department of the University of Antwerp for help in filling out the application and signing the documents, in particular, the host-university statement from the head of the institution. He did not contact the NCP for counseling.

During the preparation of the project proposal, the most difficulties arose with filling out certain forms, such as Data Management Plan, Ethics-related information/documents. In the work, Mr. Galkin used data science and machine learning, which is part of artificial intelligence, so it was difficult to justify the use of artificial intelligence exclusively for data processing. Also, the applicant experienced certain difficulties during the preparation and filling out of forms for the protection and distribution of personal data and copyright registration.

It was possible to establish communications with representatives of the institution on the basis of which the project is implemented very quickly. The university and the head were interested in cooperation and support of Ukrainian science and in the exchange of knowledge between organisations. There were no difficulties when signing the documents. The implementation of the project continues and there are currently no problems or misunderstandings.

Mr. Galkin assures that he achieved the goal he set for the formation and submission of the project application. But he believes that the project should create conditions for safe, sustainable transport and smart (intelligent) mobility services for passengers and goods, and relevant research and innovation will guarantee significant safety, environmental, economic and social benefits by reducing accidents caused by human errors, traffic jams, energy consumption, and vehicle emissions, increased efficiency and productivity of freight transport operations.

The project was formed within the call HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-08: New delivery methods and business/operating models to green the last mile and optimise road transport and is a part of the Horizon Europe Programme in GreenLog – is a co-financed project that develops logistics platforms for interconnected urban logistics automated supply concepts using autonomous vehicles and delivery innovations based on cargo bikes for sustainable microconsolidation and multimodal delivery of parcels integrating public transport.

Mr. Galkin emphasises that there is currently no opportunity to apply for a new call, as he will work on this project until mid-2025. However, he emphasises that he won’t miss any future opportunity. For his part, Mr. Galkin wished potential participants to try their hand and join the opportunities of the Programme.

Link to the page of the results of the call: https://sareurope.eu/msca4ukraine/fellowship-awards/

Link to the page with information about Summer School «Urban Logistics: Present and Future»: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/summer-winter-schools/urban-logistics/