Yeah, I'm confused. What would be the point of communicating with them after the deadline?
If you didn't apply already, you missed the deadline, so it doesn't matter if you talk to them for this application cycle, you aren't being considered.
If you have applied, they have your application and are in the process of reviewing it. Just be patient and give them time. Some programs receive hundreds of applications, so it take time to get through them all .
If you're wondering about their availability for next year's cycle, they have no idea yet, because they haven't even decided things for this cycle.
