An article about research funding at the newly formed US Department of Homeland Security incorrectly stated that the agency had received over 3,000 unsolicited bids for research projects since it opened in January (see Brumfiel Geoff Nature 424, 986; 200310.1038/424986a). In fact, that is the number of solicited proposals the agency received in its first call for grant applications, which closed on 13 June.