The luminescent properties of Pr 3+ and Mn 2+ -doped SrB 6 O 10 and SrB 4 O 7 powder samples were investigated from the point of view of energy transfer between Pr 3+ and Mn 2+ . The emission from the 1 S 0 level of Pr 3+ was found in the SrB 6 O 10 :Pr 3+ sample as well as in the SrB 4 O 7 :Pr 3+ sample, indicating the 1 S 0 level is below the lowest 4f5d energy level in these hosts. The spectral overlaps between the emission spectra of Pr 3+ -doped samples and the excitation spectra of Mn 2+ -doped sample were found in both kinds of strontium borates. These spectral overlaps are in favor of the energy transfer from Pr 3+ to Mn 2+ . However, in the emission spectra of the SrB 6 O 10 :Pr 3+ , Mn 2+ , no indication of energy transfer was observed, though the emission spectra of SrB 4 O 7 :Pr 3+ , Mn 2+ did show evidence of energy transfer from Pr 3+ to Mn 2+ . The possible reasons were discussed.