CHEEC initiated a cooperative research program in 1999. It seeks to leverage research monies from university, state, and federal entities to conduct research in areas of mutual interest with collaborators. The collaboration requires matching funds from participating entities. A member of CHEEC's executive committee must serve as a co-investigator. Like the seed grant program, it seeks to establish innovative lines of environmental health research leading to preliminary results that may be used in seeking further larger grant funding from federal and private sources.

The following are past CHEEC cooperative efforts:

• Iowa Statewide Rural Well Water Survey Phase 2 (2006-2008)
• The Iowa Beach Study (2005)
• Fate of Endocrine Disruptors, Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater Treatment Plants (2004)
• Urinary Pesticide Metabolite Levels and Reproductive Effects: A Prospective, Pilot Study of Partners of Pregnant Women in Iowa (2003)
• Iowa Community Private Well Study (2002)
• Analysis of Environmental Exposures in Hoop Structures and Conventional Confinement Swine Barns (1999)
• Antibiotics in Surface Water (1999)