Pillar I ‘Excellent Science’ strengthens EU science and technology due to increased investment in highly skilled people and cutting-edge research. It supports the search for breakthroughs in understanding and acquisition of knowledge at all levels; the world class facilities needed to achieve this, including physical and knowledge infrastructures, and the means to disseminate and share knowledge, methodologies and skills. The European Research Council will support the best researchers with flexible, long-term funding to pursue ground-breaking, high-gain/high-risk research in Europe. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions focus on excellent research that is fully bottom-up and open to any field of research and innovation from basic research to market take-up and innovation services. It supports mobility of researchers across borders, sectors and disciplines, excellent training of researchers, the strengthening of human resources and skills development and the creation of synergies with EU, national and regional programmes. Research Infrastructures will endow Europe with world-class sustainable research infrastructures open and accessible to all researchers in Europe and beyond. The key objectives of Pillar I Excellent Science are to reduce research fragmentation, avoid duplication and better coordinate the design, development, accessibility and use of research infrastructures.