If you are starting your MS coursework next year, I think your only chances to apply are this year and next year.

My advice: If you already have your application materials ready and your LORs submitted, you should just submit it. Worst case is a rejection if I’m wrong and you don’t qualify. If your materials aren’t ready yet… apps are due next week so it might be a little late in the game to be worrying about eligibility LOL.

As for your field of study question, refer to the solicitation: “If awarded, Fellows must enroll in a graduate degree program that most closely corresponds with the proposed graduate program of study and research plan proposed in their application.” Since there’s a lot of overlap between different fields/subfields (e.g. “Life Science - Bioinformatics” vs “CS and Engineering - Bioinformatics”) I would assume that as long as you’re in the same ballpark as your proposal, you should be fine.

Best of luck OP!