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Oct 10, 2025

FY26 SAP on Azure Partner Incentives – Community FAQ

1. What is the Azure Accelerate incentives program for SAP in FY26?

A: Azure Accelerate (FY26) is Microsoft’s unified partner investment program that rewards partners for driving SAP cloud migration projects on Azure. It merges previous, separate offers into one cohesive program covering all SAP deployment scenarios—whether native SAP on Azure, RISE with SAP (private cloud), or SAP GROW (public cloud SaaS). The goal: accelerate SAP cloud projects by offsetting partner costs and encouraging best practices, making SAP on Azure deals more attractive and profitable.

2. Who is eligible for these incentives?

Answer:

  • Partners: Must be enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and have achieved the SAP on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization. Enrollment in the Microsoft Commerce Incentives (MCI) program is also required.
  • Customers: Commercial customers with significant SAP migration projects. Public sector deals are generally excluded. Extremely large strategic accounts may use custom funding instead.
3. How do partners apply for these incentives?

Answer:

  • Nominate the project in Microsoft Partner Center (Incentives > Engagements (MCI)), selecting the relevant Azure Accelerate – SAP offer.
  • Provide customer/project details (including Azure Tenant ID).
  • Customer must approve participation via email.
  • Automatic approval for standard projects; large deals may require manual review.
  • Deliver the engagement within the specified timeframe.
  • Submit Proof of Execution (PoE) in Partner Center (assessment report, customer sign-off, etc.).
  • Microsoft reviews and pays out via your usual partner payout method.

Note: The 2.5% sales incentive is claimed via email to gpic@microsoft.com with required documentation.

4. What are the key timelines and deadlines?

Answer:

  • Completion Window:
    • Pre-sales assessment: 60–120 days
    • Migration/deployment: ~180 days
  • Claim Submission:
    • Typically within 30 days of completion
  • Program Duration:
    • FY26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). All projects and claims must fall within this period.
5. How do these incentives reflect the Microsoft and SAP partnership?

Answer:
These incentives are part of a broader strategic partnership between Microsoft and SAP aimed at accelerating SAP’s move to the cloud (specifically Azure). The Azure Accelerate (SAP) program is a joint go-to-market effort to encourage cloud adoption, especially for midmarket customers. SAP’s involvement ensures the offers cover scenarios like RISE with SAP (private cloud) and GROW (SaaS ERP) on Azure—so the incentives apply whether the deal is sold by SAP or the partner, as long as Azure is the platform.

6. How can partners leverage these incentives in their go-to-market strategy?

Answer:

  • Offer free/low-cost SAP on Azure assessments (funded by Microsoft) to open doors with customers.
  • Reduce customer costs or improve your margins by applying post-sale funding to project pricing.
  • Stack all three incentives on a single deal for maximum ROI.
  • Market the partnership: Highlight Microsoft and SAP’s joint investment in your proposals and marketing.
  • Utilize Microsoft resources: Tap into engineering support, marketing materials, and the Azure Cloud Accelerate Factory.
  • Plan for timelines: Train your team to nominate deals and collect required documentation promptly.
7. Can partners stack multiple incentives on a single deal?

Answer:
Yes! Partners are encouraged to utilize all applicable incentives for each deal. For example, you can claim pre-sales assessment funding, the 2.5% deal win bonus, and post-sales deployment funding on the same project. Stacking incentives maximizes your ROI and can cover 20–30% (or more) of the project’s first-year Azure value.

8. What documentation is required to claim incentives?

Answer:

  • Pre-Sales Assessment: Submit the assessment report or deliverable provided to the customer.
  • Post-Sales Migration: Submit a customer sign-off letter/email confirming successful migration, plus a brief project summary or architecture document.
  • Sales Closure Incentive: Provide the customer contract/order form, evidence that SAP will run on Azure, and the completed incentive claim form (“Attachment A”).
    For all claims, ensure the customer’s Azure Tenant ID is included and all documentation is clear and complete.
9. What happens if a project is delayed or the claim deadline is missed?

Answer:
If you anticipate missing a completion or claim deadline, contact Microsoft or your Partner Development Manager as soon as possible. Extensions may be granted in some cases, but if deadlines are missed without communication, the funding reservation may lapse and the claim could be rejected. Always monitor your project timelines and submit claims promptly to avoid losing incentive eligibility.

10. Where can I find more information or support on the incentives and manage my deals?

Answer:
The Microsoft Partner Center is your central hub for all things related to SAP on Azure incentives. Here’s how to use it effectively:

  • Nominate and Track Deals:
    • Go to Incentives > Engagements (MCI) to nominate new SAP on Azure projects for funding.
    • Use the dashboard to monitor the status of all your nominations, including approval, completion, and payout stages.
  • Submit and Manage Claims:
    • After completing an engagement, upload your Proof of Execution (PoE) directly in Partner Center.
    • The portal will show deadlines for each engagement—keep an eye on these to avoid missing out.
  • Check Payouts and Earnings:
    • View your incentives earnings statements and payment status in the Earnings section.
    • Payment cycles are typically monthly or quarterly; Partner Center will show when funds are disbursed.
  • Access Resources and Support:
    • Find program guides, templates, and FAQs in the Partner Center resource library.
    • For technical issues or questions about eligibility, use the built-in support ticketing system or reach out to your Partner Development Manager.
  • Stay Updated:
    • Partner Center is regularly updated with new program details, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
    • Make it a habit to log in regularly and review notifications.
  • To Learn More:

Tip: Bookmark the Partner Center and ensure your sales and delivery teams have access. Most incentive issues can be resolved quickly if you use the portal as your single source of truth.

By leveraging the FY26 SAP on Azure incentives, partners can boost profitability, de-risk projects, and deliver more value to customers—while being backed by Microsoft and SAP.

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