Ground states for NLS on graphs: a subtle interplay of metric and topology

We review some recent results on the minimization of the energy associated to the nonlinear Schr\"odinger Equation on non-compact graphs. Starting from seminal results given by the author together with C. Cacciapuoti, D. Finco, and D. Noja for the star graphs, we illustrate the achiements attained for general graphs and the related methods, developed in collaboration with E. Serra and P. Tilli. We emphasize ideas and examples rather than computations or proofs.