Semanticscholar

Overview

Semanticscholar is a Model Context Protocol server that gives AI assistants direct access to search across 200 million academic papers, authors, citations, and recommendations via Semantic Scholar. Any MCP-compatible AI can call these tools in conversation or agent workflows, with the model deciding when to use them.

The server runs locally on your machine via the npm package semanticscholar-mcp-server, communicating over stdio. Install it with npx -y semanticscholar-mcp-server. You'll need a Semantic Scholar API Key to authenticate. The latest release is v1.0.0, open-sourced at SMABoundless/semanticscholar-mcp-server on GitHub.

Semanticscholar belongs in the Development category and works with all MCP clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and Zed. If you maintain this server, claim the listing to verify ownership and keep the information up to date.

Installation

// claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "semanticscholar": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "semanticscholar-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}