Embodiments presented herein provide a partner authentication (PA) system that coordinates a network-based authorization process for an application. The PA system exchanges a series of messages with the application seeking an access token for a protected resource, an authorization server associated with the resource, and an agent executing on a device accessed by a user who wants the application to access the resource. The PA system and the agent communicate with the authorization server on behalf of the application throughout the authorization process. At the completion of the authorization process, the PA system receives an access token and a refresh token from the server on behalf of the application and sends a partner authorization (PA) token to the application. When the application seeks access to the resource that is available to authorized parties via the resource server, the application sends the PA token to the PA system and receives the access token in return.