The short answer
- Frontier Accelerate for Azure (formerly Azure Accelerate) is Microsoft's main investment programme for moving to Azure. Microsoft launched it in July 2025, bringing together Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate and the Cloud Accelerate Factory.
- It can provide partner engagement funding from planning to deployment, a funded migration assessment, Azure credits, and zero-cost deployment help from Microsoft experts through the Cloud Accelerate Factory.
- You access it through your Microsoft account team or an Azure specialised partner, the two routes Microsoft lists. Microsoft doesn't publish eligibility criteria.
- Separately, Azure Hybrid Benefit cuts running costs for every migration, funded or not.
- Main programme
- Frontier Accelerate for Azure
- How to access
- Microsoft account team or an Azure specialised partner
- Can cover
- Assessment, pilot, deployment, Azure credits
- Always available
- Azure Hybrid Benefit, for eligible licences
- Check eligibility
- Free assessment
Microsoft's programmes and terms change regularly. This page reflects our understanding as of the date above. We'll confirm the current position for your project during the assessment.
What is Frontier Accelerate for Azure?
Frontier Accelerate for Azure is Microsoft's programme for cloud migration and modernisation. Microsoft launched it in July 2025, bringing together three earlier offers, Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate and the Cloud Accelerate Factory.
What it can include
| Benefit | What it is |
|---|---|
| Partner engagement funding | Microsoft funding towards a specialised partner's work, from planning to deployment |
| Funded assessment | A funded migration and modernisation assessment |
| Azure credits | Credits to offset Azure costs so you can prove value sooner |
| Cloud Accelerate Factory | Microsoft experts help deploy more than 30 Azure services at no cost, alongside your partner |
| Sandbox and skilling | A free sandbox for a pilot, plus training and 50% off Azure certification exams |
How does it work?
- Microsoft describes a two-phase approach. First you plan: assess your environment, build a business case or run a proof of value. Then you build an Azure landing zone and migrate.
- Supported scenarios include Windows Server, SQL Server and Linux migrations, VMware to Azure VMware Solution, Azure Virtual Desktop and Oracle and SAP migrations.
- You start through your Microsoft account team or an Azure specialised partner. Microsoft doesn't publish eligibility criteria, so the partner or account team confirms what a project qualifies for.
Savings available on every migration
Even if you don't qualify for Frontier Accelerate for Azure, these Microsoft benefits reduce costs:
Azure Hybrid Benefit
Reuse your existing Windows Server and SQL Server licences that have Software Assurance (or qualifying subscriptions) in Azure. You then pay only for the underlying compute, which is a significant saving on every eligible VM and database.
Extended Security Updates in Azure: check the version
Some older versions still get Extended Security Updates at no extra cost in Azure. For example, SQL Server 2014 gets free ESUs on Azure VMs until its final ESU year ends on 12 July 2027. Newer ESU offerings don't: Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2016 ESUs are paid, and Microsoft prices ESUs released from 1 April 2026 the same in Azure as elsewhere. Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 ESUs ended on 13 October 2026, so those servers need upgrading.
Azure Migrate is free to start
Microsoft's discovery, assessment and migration tool, Azure Migrate, has no charge for discovery and assessment, and server migration is free for the first 180 days per server. You pay for the Azure resources you migrate into, and for the storage used while servers replicate.
Reservations and savings plans
Committing to one or three years of steady compute usage cuts costs substantially compared with pay-as-you-go. Microsoft quotes savings of 36% to 72% for reserved VM instances, with the top figure based on a large Linux VM in the US.
How to access funding
- Start with a free assessment so we understand your estate, timeline and drivers.
- We check the likely eligibility of your project against current programme rules.
- If eligible, the project is nominated through the partner channel, and the funding is reflected in your proposal.
- The migration runs as normal, with Microsoft's contribution reducing your cost.
See how our Azure migration services work, from assessment to cut-over.
Frequently asked questions
What is Frontier Accelerate for Azure?
Frontier Accelerate for Azure is Microsoft's investment programme for moving workloads to Azure. It combines partner engagement funding, Azure credits, a funded migration assessment and the Cloud Accelerate Factory, where Microsoft experts help deploy more than 30 Azure services at no cost, alongside your partner.
Who is eligible for Frontier Accelerate for Azure funding?
Microsoft doesn't publish eligibility criteria. It supports scenarios including Windows Server, SQL Server and Linux migrations, VMware to Azure VMware Solution and Azure Virtual Desktop, and funding is arranged through your Microsoft account team or an Azure specialised partner. We check eligibility as part of the free assessment.
How much funding can we get?
It varies by project scope and expected Azure usage, and Microsoft adjusts programme terms regularly. We'll give you a realistic view once we understand your estate.
Do we have to commit to anything to get funding?
Funded projects are tied to a real migration plan and expected Azure consumption. Funding is not a loan, but it is designed for projects that intend to go ahead.
Is this the same as Azure free credits for start-ups?
No. Start-up and free-account credits are separate offers. Frontier Accelerate for Azure is aimed at organisations migrating or building workloads on Azure.
Sources (9). Facts checked .
- Microsoft Azure: Frontier Accelerate for Azure
- Microsoft Azure blog: Introducing Azure Accelerate, 7 Jul 2025
- Azure Migrate pricing (UK)
- Azure reserved VM instances (UK)
- Microsoft Learn: SQL Server Extended Security Updates
- Microsoft Lifecycle: SQL Server 2014
- Microsoft Licensing: pricing consistency update, 27 Mar 2026
- Microsoft Learn: ESUs on Azure Local
- Microsoft Learn: prepare to deliver ESUs through Azure Arc