NSF GRFP Changing Mentors?

[Neurone]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of someone with a similar situation and/or the outcome. I applied for the NSF GRFP and was offered the award. I accepted it and have chosen to defer for two years so that I can also take the NDSEG. My PI just ran out of funding and is basically taking a teaching job, so there is no future for me in his lab. But, I was able to hop on another project at a different lab, within the same major field. However, my research project is going to be very different.

The GRFP requires prior approval for major changes to research plans. In this case I have no choice. Has anyone ever heard of someone losing their GRFP because their updated research plan wasn't accepted and they had to move?

I can probably finish up my PhD within the next three years with the NDSEG but having the GRFP there just in case is a nice thing, so I'd prefer not to lose that.

[zxcv]

My understanding is that if you're still in the same field and program (e.g. "Neuroscience"), you don't need to get NSF approval. Double check the document with award conditions just the same, but the GRFP is widely understood to provide you the freedom to work on the project of your choice. It certainly doesn't have to be the one in your research proposal.