# 2026-12778: FCC Limits How Many FM Translator Bids Nonprofits Can File 2026-12778, FCC Adopts Application Limit and Eligibility Restrictions for New NCE Reserved Band FM Translator Station Applications in Upcoming 2026 Filing Window, is a Federal Register rule from Federal Communications Commission published 2026-06-25, effective 2026-07-27; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-02). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12778 - As of: 2026-07-02 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-12778 - Title: FCC Adopts Application Limit and Eligibility Restrictions for New NCE Reserved Band FM Translator Station Applications in Upcoming 2026 Filing Window - Type: Rule - Agencies: Federal Communications Commission - Citation: 91 FR 38304 - Published: 2026-06-25 - Effective: 2026-07-27 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-07-02 ## In one line FCC Limits How Many FM Translator Bids Nonprofits Can File ## Summary Starting July 27, 2026, the FCC is setting new rules for folks applying to build noncommercial educational FM translator stations in the reserved band. Applicants can only submit a limited number of applications, and only certain groups will be eligible to apply. This helps keep things fair and organized for the upcoming 2026 filing window without extra costs for applicants. ## Abstract In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopts eligibility restrictions and a limit on the number of applications that each applicant may file in the upcoming 2026 filing window for applications for new noncommercial educational (NCE) reserved band FM translator station construction permits. ## Effects PRIA read - National Ten-Application Cap Adopted: cost, medium. Starting July 27, 2026, each applicant entity may file no more than ten new NCE reserved band FM translator station construction permit applications nationally in the 2026 filing window. If an applicant files more than the limit, the Media Bureau will keep the applications filed first (by receipt d… - LPFM Application Subcaps (4 and 2): cost, medium. For the 2026 filing window, Tribal LPFM applicant entities subject to Sec. 73.860(c) may file up to four applications nationally, and other LPFM applicant entities subject to Sec. 73.860(b) may file up to two applications nationally. These LPFM-specific limits are exceptions to the general ten-appl… - Primary-Station Eligibility Requirement: cost, medium. In the 2026 filing window, each applicant must be the licensee or permittee of an existing noncommercial educational (NCE) FM station, a noncommercial AM radio broadcast station, or an LPFM station that the proposed FM translator will rebroadcast. Only applicants meeting that primary-station requir… - Four-Year Holding Period Imposed: cost, medium. Each construction permit or license granted in the 2026 filing window is subject to a holding period: from grant until the facility has achieved four years of on-air operations rebroadcasting the identified primary station, the permittee/licensee must keep the same primary station and may not assig… - No New Reporting or Information Collections: benefit, low. The Commission states the document contains no new or modified information collection requirements and that the adopted rules will not increase reporting or recordkeeping requirements for applicants. Applicants who are existing licensees or permittees are expected to be familiar with the applicatio… ## Related documents - [2026-20591](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20591): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20590](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20590): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20676](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20676): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20607](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20607): Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20681](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20681): Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20486](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20486): Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-06 ## Sources - [2026-12778 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/25/2026-12778/fcc-adopts-application-limit-and-eligibility-restrictions-for-new-nce-reserved-band-fm-translator) - [2026-12778 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-25/pdf/2026-12778.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-12766, Establishing the Digital Opportunity Data Collection; Modernizing the FCC Form…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12766) - [Next: 2026-12779, Technical Amendments to Form X-17A-5 Part IIA](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12779) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12778 (as of 2026-07-02).