[
OPEN] Round of 16 Challenge: "Sweet Sixteen" 
(July 9 to 15, 2026)
The bracket is heating up! This round we shift gears from Graph Data Science to the foundations that make every great graph possible: modeling, structure, and importing.
This Round's GraphAcademy Topic: Processing
This round is powered by the Processing category (Graph Data Modeling, Structure, and Importing), featuring 5 potential courses:
- Cypher Indexes and Constraints (2h): make your graph performant
- Importing CSV Data into Neo4j (1h): get data in with Cypher
- Introduction to Vector Indexes and Unstructured Data (1h): search the unstructured
- Building Knowledge Graphs with LLMs (1h): GenAI meets graphs
- Constructing Knowledge Graphs with Neo4j GraphRAG for Python (2h): Python + LLM pipelines
To qualify: complete at least 2 of the 5 courses from the Processing category (badges must be visible on your public GraphAcademy profile).
The Rule of 16: Maximums Edition
Last round, 32 was your target. This round, 16 is your ceiling. Constraints breed creativity, so your entire project must stay within ALL of these limits:
- Maximum 16 node labels and maximum 16 relationship types
- Maximum 16 properties on any single node or relationship
- Maximum 16 indexes + constraints combined
- Maximum 16 source files in your import (CSVs, documents for KG extraction, etc.)
Small model, big impact. The best entries will squeeze the most insight out of the tightest structure. Show us what elegant modeling looks like when you can't just add another label!
What to Build
Any project that showcases what you learned in the Processing courses: a well-modeled graph imported from real CSV data, a knowledge graph extracted from unstructured text with LLMs, a vector-search-powered app, or a combination. Real data is strongly encouraged. Show us your data model and how you got the data in!
Submission Template
Post a new topic titled Round of 16: [Project Name] in [Country] containing:
- GraphAcademy Cup Team Profile Link:
- GraphAcademy Public Profile Username: (anonymous profiles are not eligible for prizes!)
- Country:
- Courses Completed (minimum 2 from Processing):
- Project Name:
- Project Description (32 to 320 words):
- How your project stays within the Rule of 16 maximums:
- Screenshots (data model diagram encouraged!):
- GitHub / Demo URL:
- Dataset URL:
- Additional Notes:
Prize: Winner's Choice!
The Round of 16 winner picks their LEGO legend:
-
Cristiano Ronaldo Display Figure
OR -
Lionel Messi Display Figure
The eternal GOAT debate, settled brick by brick. Which icon will you build?
(Reminder: anonymous GraphAcademy profiles are not eligible for prizes!)
Deadline
Submissions close July 15, 2026, 23:59 (anywhere on Earth). Winners advance to the Quarterfinals!
Good luck, everyone! May your constraints never be violated and your imports never fail! 