The former first minister was widely expected to step down from her Glasgow Southside seat, which she has held since 2007.
However, The Herald understands that Ms Sturgeon is keeping her options open.
For this to be the case, the former SNP leader would need to have submitted an application to the NEC.
It comes as her successor, Humza Yousaf submitted his application to stand for Holyrood in 2026.
Sources close to Mr Yousaf told the Daily Record that Mr Yousaf has put his name forward.
However, both he and Ms Sturgeon could still decide at a later date to stand down.
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And it does not necessarily mean he will be the party’s candidate for Glasgow Pollok, with the party’s internal vetting process now triggered.
A selection process will now follow from the SNP with candidates in place by April 2025, more than a year before the May 2026 vote.
Ms Sturgeon shocked the country when she announced she would step down as SNP leader and first minister in February 2023, after around eight years in the job.
She has dominated much of the discussions around the future of the SNP and is still under investigation as part of Police Scotland’s investigation into party finances, known as Operation Branchform.
The police investigation into what happened to £600,000 of party donations saw Peter Murrell, former chief executive, and husband of the former first minister, charged with embezzlement.
Ms Sturgeon and former treasurer and current Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSPÂ Colin Beattie, were arrested in connection with the probe but were released without charge pending further investigation.
A close ally previously told the Sunday Times that “there’s no way she will stand again”.
So far, only James Dornan and Christine Grahame have said they will not seek re-election.
John Mason – who was recently kicked out of the SNP – has also confirmed he intends to stand down in 2026.
Fergus Ewing told The Herald he had applied to stand again.
