Microsoft unveils FY26 changes to AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft has unveiled a number of updates to its Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, including an evolution of solution areas, enhancements to benefits and incentives and more.

This includes consolidating its six solution areas into three new commercial solution areas based on customer demand, an approach the company said will make it easier for partners to align their capabilities with the market.

Business Applications and Modern Work have combined to form AI Business Solutions and all three Azure solution areas (Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, and Infrastructure) have combined to form Cloud & AI Platforms, while Security will remain its own commercial solution area.

Among the investments Microsoft is making in each of the three commercial solution areas include a 50% year-over-year increased Copilot investment and a double-digit increase in year-over-year investment for the Modern Work core within AI Business Solutions; a 70% year-over-year increased investment in Azure Accelerate within Cloud & AI Platforms; and an increase of 15% to the “already significant security investment” made in Security.

Across all three commercial solution areas, Microsoft is earmarking 70% of partner investments for the Small Medium Enterprises and Channel (SME&C) segment.

Azure Accelerate, released on July 1, is a unified offering that combines Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate, and Cloud Accelerate Factory, built on the foundation of Azure Essentials.

These new commercial solution areas are in market now.

Four new Solutions Partner designations

Microsoft is also introducing four new Solutions Partner designations later in FY26, which the company says will help partners differentiate their business in the Microsoft marketplace.

These include a support services-focused Solutions Partner designation, a distribution-focused Solutions Partner designation and two device-focused Solutions Partner designations.

One of these device-focused designations will be designed for partners who sell and deploy Windows commercial devices—including Copilot+ PCs—with value across the full deployment lifecycle. The other will recognise partners who build modern, hybrid-ready Windows devices. 

Microsoft claims these new designations will help partners unlock edge-to-cloud revenue, deepen customer relationships, and lead confidently in the evolving Windows device ecosystem while supporting the Windows 10 refresh cycle; accelerate Microsoft 365 adoption; and build trusted relationships through secure, AI-ready devices.

Sovereign cloud specialisation arriving soon

Three new specialisations were also announced; specialisations signify partners’ deep expertise in specific technical scenarios. 

The new additions include a Microsoft Copilot specialisation, introduced last week, along with a Clinical Applications specialisation and a Sovereign Cloud specialisation, both of which are launching later in FY26.

Planned for February 2026 is a range of other new benefits for partners, including Azure credits for Copilot Studio, additional seats for Microsoft 365 Copilot and updated benefits within partner benefits packages (Launch, Success Core, and Success Expanded) and ISV Success packages (Core, Expanded, and Advanced).