How do I install the semantic scholar mcp server?

This profile does not contain a verified copy-paste launch configuration. Follow the current project documentation to confirm the runtime, entry point, transport and authentication before registering it in your client.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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Semantic Scholar MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides access to Semantic Scholar's academic paper database through their API.

Local serverstdio

What is the Semantic Scholar MCP Server?

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides access to Semantic Scholar's academic paper database through their API.

What it actually does

Paper Search — Search for academic papers with filters for year, fields of study, and open access
Paper Details — Get comprehensive information about specific papers including abstracts, authors, and citation counts
Author Information — Retrieve detailed author data including affiliations, h-index, and citation metrics
Citation Export — Generate citations in multiple formats (BibTeX, APA, MLA, Chicago)

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

How to install the Semantic Scholar MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "semantic-scholar-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--with",
        "git+https://github.com/FujishigeTemma/semantic-scholar-mcp",
        "semantic-scholar-mcp",
        "serve"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY": "YOUR_SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

From the project documentation. Replace placeholders and example paths before connecting.

Configuration

Variable	Description	Required
SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY	Declared in the maintainer’s client configuration.	Check documentation

Example prompts to try

“Use Semantic Scholar MCP to Required.”
“Use Semantic Scholar MCP to Optional.”

Frequently asked questions

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides access to Semantic Scholar's academic paper database through their API. Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.