Thanks for your response! Hmmm... I agree with what you're saying, especially considering NETI suggests the start date is January. I actually did some random online searching (and not to sound super creepy!) - I looked up some of the LinkedIn profiles of current/former NETI participants, and a lot of their "start dates" for the NETI program in their respective countries seems to be around March/April, so perhaps the recruitment process is much longer than we expect it to be?
That said, it could really mean anything - that successful applicants have already been shortlisted by now, and because the selection process is SO lengthy, by the time they get through them all, participants start by March (assuming a Nov-Mar timeline).
Sigh.