What new NASA program is creating smaller space exploration programs?

I believe you are referring to the NASA Small Satellite Missions program. Unlike the large, heavy-payload missions such as the Space Shuttles, the International Space Station, or the Mars probes, these smaller satellites (also called nanosatellites) can be used for lower-cost, shorter missions. Because the satellites are light (they range in weight from two to 440 pounds), they are cheaper to produce and to launch, and generally have short missions. These satellites are used to test new types of technologies and run experiments to see how these technologies will function in the conditions they will encounter in space--for example, how they will work in a vacuum, in conditions of high radiation or great temperature variations. One of these missions, the Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSAT) recently came to the end of its two year operation. More information about the FASTSAT and other nanosatellite missions is available in the link I have attached.