gradful

Yup, if it is like last year I believe that the first round was notified when they pulled this stunt. They are given time to decide whether to accept or not - in the event that someone declines then the next highest is offered. Clearly it doesn't take long before all of the slots are filled. Mid-April notifications are then just a mass-reject email. (No guarantees, but as I said earlier its the same story most likely)

It's been my experience that these DOE fellowships run a little late. I could well be wrong, but my guess is that you shouldn't hold your breath much before April.