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Partner Audience: CSP
Relevant to: #DoingBizwMSFT, #GoToMarket, #CrossSolution
Co-op (Partner Incentives Cooperative Marketing Funds) provides reimbursements of earned funds to participating partners to help differentiate and build channel awareness and preference for Microsoft products. You can use co-op funds to conduct marketing activities that increase brand awareness and drive growth of your sales pipeline. Invest your co-op funds in activities to facilitate readiness, develop specializations, or attain Microsoft certifications—activities that foster focused solution practices and Centers of Excellence.
FY24 changes
Some of the biggest changes impacting the Americas (United States, Canada, and LATAM) in FY24 include:
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- US allowances for each activity may vary from the global policy. US partners should check their individual agreements for details.
- Solution area guidance has been updated to align with FY24 priorities.
- Additional proof of execution (PoE) requirements have been added for telemarketing activities.
- TV/radio advertisements have been added as an eligible co-op activity for Surface partners.
- Surface Co-op plans can now be approved by a Product Portfolio Go-to-Market Manager, Partner Development Manager, or Partner Channel Marketing Manager.
- Mixed Reality (HoloLens) incentives, including co-op, are being discontinued. Co-op earned in H2 FY23 will be converted to rebate and paid to the partner in Q1 FY24.
- Country classifications for applying PoE thresholds for claims will adjust based on guidance from CELA.
Co-op fun facts
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- Partners enrolled in Microsoft Commerce Incentive (MCI) earn a 60 percent rebate / 40 percent Co-op split for Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).
- Co-op is earned in six-month periods.
- Co-op can be utilized for three main activity categories: Demand Generation, Market Development, and Partner Readiness.
- Partners have 45 days after the period ends to submit a claim.
Co-op eligible activities
| Definition | Qualifying activities | |
| Demand Generation |
Traditional advertising with broad reach that furthers the marketing and promotion of Microsoft offerings. Results and audience size are measurable.
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| Market Development |
Marketing activities designed for a specific customer audience that support the sale of Microsoft software licenses. |
|
| Partner Readiness |
Expenses related to Microsoft training, technical certification, and program fees for internal partner personnel that promote the development of Microsoft technology expertise. |
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How to view your co-op funds
To view your incentive co-op funds:
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- Sign in to Partner Center and select Incentives.
- Select Program and then select the appropriate incentive program from the expanded program list.
- At the top of the program page, select View claims.
- Above Co-op claimed, select the usage period you want to see.
Doing so displays Co-op earned, Co-op claimed, and Remaining co-op for the selected period.
The expiration date for the selected period appears below the Remaining co-op display. - Scroll to the bottom of the page to view all claims submitted for the selected period.
Resources
If you’re not familiar with Co-op or want to learn more, get started with these resources:
Microsoft Commerce Incentives
Co-op Collection
How to earn co-op funds
View available earned, claimed, and remaining co-op funds
MCI Office Hours registration
FY24 Co-op Overview video
Join the conversation
Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.
