Who funded research before 1800? The Von Humboldt model of a university came about in the early 1800's. Von Humboldt's thought that the fundamental purpose of the university was to promote scientific inquiry and to unify teaching and research. This idea implies, of course, that the purpose of a university is to create new knowledge

However, a previous SE question touches upon the idea that the initial goal of a university was not to discover new knowledge (as was Humboldt's view) but to transmit older knowledge. 

With these ideas as context, where exactly were scientific advancements pursued prior to the Von Humboldt model?
In general, there was no central source of funding for research until recently. 

If you were engaged in scientific research before modern times, you usually fell into one of a few categories:


You had an official position, such as Royal Astronomer in the UK and other countries, that provided you with a salary in exchange for doing research.
You had your own independent source of wealth that allowed you to survive.
You worked another job, and "dabbled" in research in your "spare time."
You were part of the church (e.g., Gregor Mendel) and did your studies and experiments in your free time.


Industry played at most a small role in funding research, directly or indirectly.