Abstract: The effect of R&D input and its spatial spillover on provincial economic growth of China are tested from both theoretic and empirical perspectives. Based on a logarithmic production function model, firstly, the existence of the positive externality in R&D input is proved. Then,by using data of 29 provinces in China during the period of 1991-2009,the spillover effects of R&D input are measured in accordance with the spatial econometric model. The results show that (1)R&D input significantly promotes regional economic growth,and there is a striking spillover effect among provinces in China; (2) the 16.7% contribution of R&D input to economic growth is due to its spatial spillover effect; (3)the highest spillover effect is able to be found in eastern region, while the lowest in western region, and the spillover effect between east and west regions is lower than that between east and central regions.

Key words: R&D input, spatial spillover effect, regional economic growth, spatial econometric