Retirement of the Qualified Referral Program (QRP)

On this page4 sections

1. What you can expect
2. What is changing
3. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
4. Next steps

Microsoft retires the Qualified Referral Program (QRP) at the end of March 2026 and consolidates lead/referral sharing into our standard motions to simplify partner experience, improve lead quality, and provide a single system of record for co-sell and Marketplace conversions.

Impacted audience

Partners with opportunities in Partner Center

We’re simplifying how partners accept, track, and close referrals with Microsoft. QRP is retired at the end of March 2026 and replaced by a unified co-sell experience centered on Partner Center referrals. This change reduces duplicate workflows, improves pipeline transparency for both partners and Microsoft sellers, and accelerates response times. Additionally, as part of the modernization effort, we're enhancing our partner-matching process with real-time data and AI logic to help ensure the right leads reach the right partners matching capabilities and competencies to maximize value.

What you can expect

• One referral front door: Accept, submit, and manage all referrals in Partner Center with end-to-end visibility into co-sell engagement and status.
• Faster routing: Standardized qualification and routing to the right Microsoft teams and connected systems.
• Cleaner reporting: Single source of truth for attribution and performance measurement, reducing double counting.
• Continuity for in-flight items: All QRP referrals shared before the cutoff continue to be valid until either 'Accepted' or when they expire due to non-acceptance.
• Shared referrals land as SMB opportunities in Partner Center: Shared referrals will no longer land as 'qualified leads' in Partner Center. The shared referrals are in the Partner Center Referrals Leads tab as SMB opportunities.

What is changing

Any partner who used QRP should now use the Leads section of the Partner Center referrals workspace for the same motion:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• Why is Microsoft retiring QRP? To simplify the partner experience, reduce duplication, and standardize Partner Center/co-sell so referrals flow through one system with shared definitions, faster routing, and clearer attribution.
• What replaces QRP? Partner Center referrals (with co-sell) will be the standard intake and tracking experience for all new opportunities after the cutoff.
• What happens to my open QRP referrals at the cutoff? They'll continue to be worked to closure under the previously mentioned transition rules. You do not need to resubmit accepted/active items.
• Can I bulk migrate my backlog into Partner Center? Items not yet accepted at cutoff may be converted or returned with guidance to resubmit. We’ll share bulk options (if offered) in the detailed transition guide.
• How will incentives or credit be handled? Credit ties to standard Partner Center/co-sell attribution once QRP is retired. Refer to the current incentive guide for eligibility and payout timing.
• Will I lose access to historical QRP data? No. After retirement, QRP will enter a read-only state for a limited period (target 90 days) to allow exports. We’ll provide instructions and supported formats.
• How do I track status or engage Microsoft sellers after the change? Use Partner Center referrals for end-to-end status, notes, and collaboration. This is the system of record for co-sell motion tracking.
• What if my CRM integrates to QRP today? You need to update integrations to Partner Center Referrals APIs (guidance to follow). We’ll publish mapping of key fields and statuses.
• Does the change affect co-sell eligibility? No change to eligibility. The submission and tracking surface moves to Partner Center; co-sell criteria remain governed by the program guide.

Next steps

• Use Partner Center → Referrals for all new opportunities.
• Review your in-flight QRP items and ensure:
• Primary contact and next steps are up to date
• Opportunity stage and close plan are documented
• Any attached collateral is copied to your Partner Center referral where relevant
• Export your historical QRP data during the read-only window for your internal records.
• Update playbooks and training guides; replace QRP references with Partner Center referral steps.
• Check incentives guidance for how credit will be recognized post transition.