The short answer is no.
The CSG criteria defines a "licensee" as an "entity with a valid, renewable license from the United States Government to operate a full-power, noncommercial, educational radio station".
In addition, the criteria for radio also requires an FM station to operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of at least 100 watts. There does not appear to be any language that takes into consideration a broadcast station which must operate less than 100 watts ERP due to height above average terrain.
Even if LPFM stations were eligible for CSG, they have to meet a considerable amount of criteria and requirements including:
- A minimum number of employees, full-time employees and funding from non-federal sources in the 6 figures based on the population within the station's 60 dBu service contour.
- Requirements that a substantial majority of daily programming must be suited for a general audience that serves a station's demonstrated community needs of an educational, informational or cultural nature and does not include programming that furthers the principles of particular political or religious philosophies.
- Open meetings and open records, including donor information.
- Minimum audience sizes based on data from a ratings service.
- Establishment of a Community Advisory Board.
- Sufficient, professionally equipped on-air and production facilities of high technical quality, including the capability for simultaneous local production and origination and sufficient office space for station operations.
Other grants, such as Next Generation Warning System grants have different criteria, which may or may not be receptive to LPFM stations.
