The $2 million Newspaper Next project is funded by the American Press Institute and aims to re-energise the industry.
Ideas being tested include an advertising system for smaller businesses by the Boston Globe and an initiative by the Oregonian to increase readership in a growing district.
The Record in Hackensack, New Jersey, is overhauling its online operations to provide a wider community service.
"It's a great group of projects," said Stephen Gray, managing director of the Newspaper Next project.
"They range in focus from audiences to advertisers to building organisational capabilities. These will provide living laboratories to demonstrate the innovation potential that exists among newspaper companies."
Results of the project will be published in the Autumn.
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