SAP Partner Awards External FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions surrounding the new SAP Partner Awards program. Download the DocumentSAP Partner Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
December 2025
© 2025 SAP SE or an SAP affiliate company. All rights reserved. See Legal Notice on www.sap.com/legal-notice for use terms, disclaimers, disclosures, or restrictions related to this material. 2 / 3
Why did SAP restructure partner awards?
As partners take on an increasingly critical role in driving customer value, SAP established a more
consistent and strategic approach to partner awards and recognition. To emphasize the value of being
an award recipient, partners can expect awards with greater significance, increased transparency,
elevated branding, and enhanced benefits. The restructuring signals a more cohesive, effective, and
scalable partner award strategy that aligns with our long-term business goals and provides more
meaningful and distinguished recognition.
What awards are being recognized in 2026?
Beginning in 2026 there will be only three SAP partner award programs:
• SAP Partner Awards – Global
• SAP Partner Awards – Regional
• SAP Partner Awards – Market Unit
How do I participate in these awards?
All partners that are aligned with SAP’s AI-first, Suite-first strategy are eligible and automatically
considered for this recognition based on quantitative performance from system-generated data.
Are there qualifying focus areas for partner recognition?
Qualifying focus areas for partner recognition include:
• SAP Business AI: We will recognize partners complementing SAP’s solution roadmap with AI-
first innovations and driving customer value creation, adoption and consumption of SAP’s
Business AI solutions, as well as building AI innovations on SAP AI Foundation.
• SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC): We will recognize partner contributions to drive the adoption
and consumption of SAP BDC with customers. Specific partner contributions can include
Intelligent Applications developed by partners, unique Data Products contributed by partners,
and implementation methodologies to drive the consumption of SAP BDC.
• SAP Business Suite: We will recognize partner contributions related to applications and
services for finance, sales, HR, and industry-specific applications and services aligned with
SAP’s Business Suite strategy.
Why did SAP restructure partner awards?
As partners take on an increasingly critical role in driving customer value, SAP established a more
consistent and strategic approach to partner awards and recognition. To emphasize the value of being
an award recipient, partners can expect awards with greater significance, increased transparency,
elevated branding, and enhanced benefits. The restructuring signals a more cohesive, effective, and
scalable partner award strategy that aligns with our long-term business goals and provides more
meaningful and distinguished recognition.
What awards are being recognized in 2026?
Beginning in 2026 there will be only three SAP partner award programs:
• SAP Partner Awards – Global
• SAP Partner Awards – Regional
• SAP Partner Awards – Market Unit
How do I participate in these awards?
All partners that are aligned with SAP’s AI-first, Suite-first strategy are eligible and automatically
considered for this recognition based on quantitative performance from system-generated data.
Are there qualifying focus areas for partner recognition?
Qualifying focus areas for partner recognition include:
• SAP Business AI: We will recognize partners complementing SAP’s solution roadmap with AI-
first innovations and driving customer value creation, adoption and consumption of SAP’s
Business AI solutions, as well as building AI innovations on SAP AI Foundation.
• SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC): We will recognize partner contributions to drive the adoption
and consumption of SAP BDC with customers. Specific partner contributions can include
Intelligent Applications developed by partners, unique Data Products contributed by partners,
and implementation methodologies to drive the consumption of SAP BDC.
• SAP Business Suite: We will recognize partner contributions related to applications and
services for finance, sales, HR, and industry-specific applications and services aligned with
SAP’s Business Suite strategy.
© 2025 SAP SE or an SAP affiliate company. All rights reserved. See Legal Notice on www.sap.com/legal-notice for use terms, disclaimers, disclosures, or restrictions related to this material. 3 / 3
Aligning with SAP clean core principles, adoption of SAP technologies in your innovations, certification
metrics, and utilization of the Business Transformation Management toolchain will be a prerequisite to
be considered for any partner recognition with a mid-year quality check for eligibility.
VARs specifically will be evaluated for autonomous capabilities.
Please see the category-specific qualifications listed under the award categories.
What is the timeframe for recognition?
Calculations for all awards are based on system-generate data during the January 1- December 31 of
the previous year. Regional winners will continue be announced in the January/February timeframe
with in-person recognition during kick-offs. Global winners will be announced in late February with in-
person recognition continuing to be aligned with SAP Sapphire. Market Unit announcements will
happen throughout the year.
Are the SAP Pinnacle Awards still being recognized?
The SAP Partner Awards – Global replaces The SAP Pinnacle Awards and the SAP Global LoB Partner
Excellence Awards.
Are the SAP Regional Partner Excellence Awards still being recognized?
The SAP Partner Awards – Regional replaces the SAP Regional Partner Excellence Awards.
What is the difference between the SAP Partner Awards – Global and The
SAP Innovation Awards?
The SAP Innovation Awards refer to SAP’s premier customer recognition program while The SAP
Partner Awards – Global refer to SAP’s premier partner recognition program.
We previously won an SAP Innovation Award. Is this no longer possible?
The SAP Innovation Awards represent SAP’s premier customer recognition program. To avoid any
confusion, the partner paragon category is no longer being recognized. Partners who are also SAP
customers are encouraged to participate and submit their nominations as a customer.
Where can I direct my questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to partner_awards@sap.com
Aligning with SAP clean core principles, adoption of SAP technologies in your innovations, certification
metrics, and utilization of the Business Transformation Management toolchain will be a prerequisite to
be considered for any partner recognition with a mid-year quality check for eligibility.
VARs specifically will be evaluated for autonomous capabilities.
Please see the category-specific qualifications listed under the award categories.
What is the timeframe for recognition?
Calculations for all awards are based on system-generate data during the January 1- December 31 of
the previous year. Regional winners will continue be announced in the January/February timeframe
with in-person recognition during kick-offs. Global winners will be announced in late February with in-
person recognition continuing to be aligned with SAP Sapphire. Market Unit announcements will
happen throughout the year.
Are the SAP Pinnacle Awards still being recognized?
The SAP Partner Awards – Global replaces The SAP Pinnacle Awards and the SAP Global LoB Partner
Excellence Awards.
Are the SAP Regional Partner Excellence Awards still being recognized?
The SAP Partner Awards – Regional replaces the SAP Regional Partner Excellence Awards.
What is the difference between the SAP Partner Awards – Global and The
SAP Innovation Awards?
The SAP Innovation Awards refer to SAP’s premier customer recognition program while The SAP
Partner Awards – Global refer to SAP’s premier partner recognition program.
We previously won an SAP Innovation Award. Is this no longer possible?
The SAP Innovation Awards represent SAP’s premier customer recognition program. To avoid any
confusion, the partner paragon category is no longer being recognized. Partners who are also SAP
customers are encouraged to participate and submit their nominations as a customer.
Where can I direct my questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to partner_awards@sap.com