Systems and methods for encoding and decoding neural network data is provided. A method includes: receiving a neural network representation (NNR) bitstream including a group of NNR units (GON) that represents an independent neural network with a topology, the GON including an NNR model parameter set unit, an NNR layer parameter set unit, an NNR topology unit, an NNR quantization unit, and an NNR compressed data unit; and reconstructing the independent neural network with the topology by decoding the GON.