The Jennifer A. Lurie Memorial Poetry Prize is a new annual award established by Outskirts Literary Journal to honor the memory of Jennifer A. Lurie, a vibrant artist, mother, and community member who passed away in 2023. The prize seeks poetry that celebrates the natural world, creates pockets of joy, and brings us together through language. While no explicit theme is imposed, the curatorial vision favors work that engages with these affirmative and connective impulses. The inaugural edition is guest judged by Natalie Shapero, whose most recent collection, Stay Dead, was longlisted for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award and shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. Her involvement signals a serious commitment to contemporary poetic excellence. Submissions are open from August 1 to November 14, 2026, with a deadline of November 15, 2026. A submission fee of $15 (1500 cents USD) applies. First place receives $750, second $150, and third $50. Winning poems will be published in Outskirts Issue 05, Spring 2027. All other submissions will be considered for publication in the journal. This structure offers poets not only monetary recognition but also the possibility of publication for a broader range of entrants. The prize is administered by Outskirts Literary Journal, an independent publication. The journal explicitly requests that poets do not submit the same work to both the JAL contest and general submissions. This inaugural prize represents a meaningful addition to the poetry landscape, combining memorial tribute with a forward-looking celebration of language and community.