The spirit of scientists is not only an important part of the spiritual pedigree of the CPC, but also an important part of ideological and political education in colleges and universities in the new era. Integrating the spirit of scientists into ideological and political education in universities is an important measure to implement the fundamental task of cultivating morality and nurturing new talents of the times. An analysis of over 80 textual materials on the promotion of the spirit of scientists in 10 double first class universities, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Fudan University, reveals that these universities have mainly adopted measures such as relying on educational bases, creating scientific dramas, holding special lectures, and integrating into curriculum construction to promote the spirit of scientists, and have achieved initial results. However, these universities still face various challenges in practice, including superficial propaganda work, limited subject coverage, low student participation, and insufficient integration of the spirit of scientists into the curriculum. To effectively address these challenges, universities need to increase resource investment and strengthen publicity, promote interdisciplinary exchanges and cooperation, stimulate students’ enthusiasm for participation, strengthen top-level design and teacher training, and optimize paths to achieve a deep integration of the spirit of scientists and ideological and political education in universities.